Guidance and Tools

LENSS Tool Kit - Local Estimate of Needs for Shelter and Settlement: Field Version

Local Estimate of Needs for Shelter and Settlement: Field Version

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The LENSS Tool Kit is designed to alleviate the difficulties of shelter and settlement needs assessment in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and before the recovery phase.

LENSS draws on two methods for a well-articulated and focused assessment of shelter and settlement needs. These methods include an estimate of the situation and census taking.

An estimate of the situation is a commonplace instrument in military and disaster management communities. It refers to a logical process of reasoning by which a leader considers the circumstances affecting the situation and arrives at a decision as to the course of action to be taken in order to accomplish their assigned mission. This may also be called an assessment of the situation.

The essential features LENSS draws on are the logical process and the focus on a single decision-maker or authority. Under LENSS, the authority in charge of assessing shelter and settlement needs is the locality.

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