The Response Planning Process

Main steps in the FEWS NET Response Planning Process

Below is a model response planning process for humanitarian crises. Each step in the process is presented, along with some of the major issues associated with the step.

Coordination and preparation of the response planning process
An effective response planning process involves multiple actors, be they different offices or staff members in one organization or staff from different organizations. To ensure that these actors are efficiently integrated into a productive planning process, it is necessary to make a plan for how to develop a response plan: who will do what, when and how?

Needs assessment
When a food security crisis emerges, it is necessary to assess the impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. A good needs assessment provides the basis for defining appropriate interventions to mitigate the impacts of the crisis. Needs assessments provide the basis for developing response plans and for converting contingency plans into an active response.

Develop response plans
Based on a needs assessment, response objectives and programs to meet those objectives need to be defined. Arrangements and procedures to implement these programs also need to be defined, as do the material, human resources and financial resources required. If a good contingency plan has been developed, this can be adapted, based on assessment results, and become a response plan.

Plan implementation
In an emergency, the response plan is immediately implemented and response activities begin.

Monitoring and evaluation of response, impact and changes in needs Once the response plan is implemented, it needs to be monitored and evaluated. Regular monitoring of progress should identify problems and ways to improve interventions. Once the response is over, a more detailed evaluation needs to be undertaken. The lessons learned should be identified and incorporated into future contingency plans and response mechanisms.

Adjust response plans
Based on the results of monitoring and evaluation, responses plans should be adjusted and improved.

Phase-out
Finally, as conditions return to normal, emergency response activities need to transition to recovery and development activities.