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3.2 OFDA FOG assessment process main points

  • An assessment is only a snapshot in time.
  • Information changes over time.
  • The significance of information changes over time.
  • If a disaster manager can identify the unfolding scenarios, monitoring will ultimately be more important than assessment.
  • What you cannot see is often more important than what you can see.
  • It is vital to use the first assessment to establish an ongoing data collection and analysis system.
  • Most reports should be iterative, not detailed.
  • The initial assessment should provide information that feeds directly into the programme planning process.
  • Timing of the report is vital. Without a point of reference, most assessment data is of little value.

Source: Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance 2005. Field operations guide for disaster assessment and response .