IASC Nepal

Government of Nepal /Inter Agency Standing

Committee IASC

Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA)

in Nepal

1. In April 2008 initial draft MIRA developed at IM workshop of IASC

2. In 2008 & 2009: MIRA adapted in the context on 6 different occasions:

3.August 2008 - Few partners used the MIRA in the Koshi floods (before IASC adaptation).

4.September 2008 the IASC adapted the MIRA to the Koshi IDP camp environment and conducted an assessment lead by WFP with core group of responders from Sunsari/Saptari.

September 2008 - Floods hit Far Western Region the MIRA tool was used in its original format by joint GoN /IASC teams.

November 2008 - MIRA was adapted for the initial return assessment conducted by GoN, local NGOs and IASC.

MIRA Background:

MIRA Background:

In 2009…• In March of 2009 the core indicators were used

to assess Sunsari flood-affected settlements in areas of return,

• and more recently the core indicators of the MIRA have been adapted by WFP to assess drought-affected communities in Western Nepal.

MIRA Challenges experienced: – Processing of data: Trained standby roster of

emergency responders trained in MIRA which can be immediately deployed

Local Adaptation

Local Adaptation in Nepal:

As shown a IASC workshop on IRA, 2008 April :

As shown a IASC workshop on IRA, 2008 April :

As shown a IASC workshop on IRA, 2008 April :

As shown a IASC workshop on IRA, 2008 April :

• 2006, 2007, 2008 MIRA implemented 2-5 weeks following disaster

• Each of these MIRA based on initial data from the field (NRCS, DDRC, NA, INGOs, UN ) that helped identify areas to be assessed.

However with formalized MIRA now ….. More predictability More accountability

Assessment sequence and MIRA is Nothing New:

What Global and Nepal experience show – Need for FLEXIBILITY

Flexible to enable its use across contexts.

Sampling methodology is not precisely pre-defined and depends on context of the emergency and prevailing situation regarding access, security, funding and assessment time frame.

Assessment sites: focus on areas of greatest needs and coverage of a range of locations qualitatively representative of the affected population.

Establish a categorisation according to geographical areas, ethnic groups and gender differences, which means the diversity of the situation is taken into consideration for the interview site selection

Criteria for implementing MIRA: MIRA will be triggered by IASC/MoHA when external assistance required to support national efforts in an emergency.

Initial data consolidated… Proposed assessment locations: Determine scope and scale… Preliminary information from phase 1 (i.e. GoN, NRCS, local police, some field visit reports) will complete this process.

Call on established MIRA Roster Members: Once MIRA triggered the assessment teams from the MIRA roster assembled and a plan of action developed based on phase 1 information. Proposed Team: WFP/IASC to train the assessment team. The team should ideally be composed of individuals representative of clusters and a range of originations - GoN, UN, I/NGO, and Red Cross.

Timing: Flexible between 48 hrs to 10-14 days (phase 2)

Coordination of logistic arrangement: On behalf of IASC, OCHA.

MIRA coordination of teams and data collection: On behalf of IASC, WFP to lead the process Analysis: WFP to coordinate with respective cluster leads and field experts for initial quantitative analysis and cluster review.

Preliminary Report Dissemination: If not the final version, preliminary report to be shared with wider humanitarian responders through different coordination mechanisms.

Way forward

Identify GoN, UN, INGO, Red Cross technical and generalist staff to be trained.

Conduct training and familiarization on MIRA

Thank you!!!

IASC Nepal