have to be relocated to a new site because of high
risks in the original settlement area. Here the
priorities of the assessment will have to shift; the
historic assessment of the old sites will be less
relevant, including the mapping, transect walk,
calendars and economic activities, and attention
will have to be more focused on future livelihoods
opportunities and resources available at the new
site.
At various stages of the assessment, groups may
discuss the results obtained from each particular
method. Towards the end of the assessment, results
from all the various methods must be brought
together for the community to discuss either as a
whole or in specific relevant groups. The aim of this
is to draw conclusions and prioritise the needs and
issues to be addressed. Focus groups are a useful
tool for this process:
How to facilitate a focus group discussion?
• Keep the size of focus groups to no more than about 15 people, to ensure everybody has a chance to
contribute, and discussion can progress; if necessary, establish several groups;
• Consult community leaders and key informants to identify participants, but be aware of preferences;
ensure a reasonable gender balance and that particular groups of vulnerable or marginalised people
are represented (the disabled, lower castes, the very poor, the landless, etc.);
• Determine a time when everybody should be able to attend (which may have to be after work or in the
weekend), and invite participants well in advance;
• Find a comfortable location for the meeting; arrange snacks or drinks when appropriate;
• Do not try to cover too much in a single meeting; focus on a few key topics (and hold a second
meeting, if there are more); discuss one problem at a time;
• Start the group discussion with an explanation of the purpose of the meeting and the topics to be
covered;
• Maintain respect, listen carefully, and check for understanding;
• Move the meeting along to keep it on track, whilst involving as many participants as possible in the
discussion;
• Try to identify which issues are of general concern to the whole group, and which ones may be more
controversial or personal in nature;
• Look for potential spokespersons from different groups, who could be asked to meet to summarise
their groups concerns and discuss how they differ from others.
(See: Rietbergen-McCracken & Narayan, 1998, in the Resources section)
Applications
Case Study 1: Communities assert their demands and produce their own needs assessment
in Bojayá, Colombia
Following the Bojayá massacre of 2002, communities boycotted food aid provided by an agency which only
wanted to provide food to families listed on old census records. This excluded many vulnerable households
who were not registered. Community representatives demanded that a new census be carried out. As a
result, community organisations carried out a new census and needs assessment amongst the 7,000 or
so people displaced by the massacre. They compiled the needs of people and turned to various agencies
for assistance. The World Food Programme supplied food which communities distributed themselves.
After several community meetings, the people subsequently decided that they wanted a new location for
their settlement. They produced drawings for it, indicating landmarks such as the church, town hall, town
square, port and community centres. They also produced house plans together with building materials
specifications for each household. Government engineers then formally drew these up.
See ALNAP in the Resources section.
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