In 2004, WFP formulated a three-year Strengthening Emergency Needs Assessment Implementation Plan to improve needs assessments. This evaluation reviews the first two years of implementation. It also identified shortcomings in design and implementation that can be used to refine assessment even further and to achieve optimal balance between the cost, rigour and timeliness of assessments. Comparability is still elusive. The evaluation identified the need for (i) objective measures of accuracy, (ii) ways to make assessments comparable and (iii) improvements in the linkages between assessments and programming decisions. Improved response recommendations, greater emphasis on surveillance rather than assessment and greater participation by food-insecure people are also called for.
