Field-based Integrated Emergency Response Assessment in Yemen

 

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than 30 countries throughout the world. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and its sister organization DDG has been providing relief, humanitarian community safety, and early recovery/development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief. Danish Demining Group (DDG) aims to recreate a safe environment where people can live without the threat of landmines, unexploded ordinances and small arms and light weapons. These goals can be effectively advanced through cooperation and joint action with other organization as well as with integration of operations and programs with its sister organization, the DRC. 

 

In Yemen, DRC is providing relief and development services using a human rights framework, aiming at supporting IDPs, returnees and host communities affected by conflict and natural disasters. Currently, the main sectoral programmes include; Food Security and Livelihoods; NFI/Shelter; WASH, Protection, Emergency Response and for 2018 we plan to start implementing early recovery projects. DRC HoA & Yemen 2017 Strategic Program Document is aimed at ensuring synergy and complementarity of all humanitarian interventions in the region. 

 

  

Yemen is amongst the largest conflict induced crises globally. 17 million people (60% of the total population), are food insecure and require urgent humanitarian assistance to save lives and protect livelihoods. Among those, approximately 10.2 million people are in IPC Phase 3 ‘crisis’ and 6.8 million people are in IPC Phase 4 ‘emergency’. Over 2 million individuals were displaced of which 85% come from Taiz, Hajjah, Sana’a City, Sa’ada and Sana’a Governorates. Civil insecurity has affected both urban and rural livelihoods worsening the food security situation. Restrictions and disruptions of commercial and humanitarian imports, mass displacements, disrupted markets, high food prices and the collapse of public services are aggravating it. Economic situation of 78% of the hhs is worse than pre crisis period. Every 10 minutes a child dies of preventable causes. The conflict in Yemen has displaced nearly 3 million people since March 2015, nearly 2.5 million of whom experienced displacement for more than one year.  

 

With continued volatility and insecurity in many parts of Yemen, affected people – including IDPs, host communities and other conflict-affected communities – are increasingly facing challenges to survival. Protection assessments indicate that these challenges include lack of safety, separated families, limited freedom of movement, harassment, child recruitment and gender-based violence. In addition, affected people face limited livelihood opportunities; increasing tensions between displaced and host communities; lost documentation (including birth registration or identity cards needed to access services); issues regarding housing, land and property; and limited access to services. 

 

Currently, 95 districts in 14 governorates (Abyan, Taiz, Hajjah, Hodeidah, Hadhramout, Dhamar, Shabwa, Sa’ada, Lahj, Al Dhale, Ibb, Al Mahwit, Rayman and Amran governorates) are considered at risk of famine and as high priority districts by both the FSAC and Nutri&on Cluster. 

 

Since October 2016, The Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP) confirmed a cholera outbreak in Amanat al Asimah Governorate in October 2016. Subsequently, as of the 19th of September the outbreak spread to close to  22 out of 23 governorates and 302 of 333 districts. Almost 700,000 people have been infected, 2,091 people have died, and the numbers continue to rise. The World Health Organization has described the unprecedented situation in Yemen as the worst cholera outbreak in the world. 

 

This assessment is designed to identify the main humanitarian and protection gaps of those affected by natural and man-made disasters and early recovery and resilience building opportunities, which will inform design, planning and implementation of DRC integrated emergency response program and link relief recovery development. 

  

 

To analyze the main humanitarian intervention needs, gaps and early recovery and resilience building opportunities, with a special focus on strategic decision-making for integrated emergency response and link relief recovery development. This will inform program design and planning of programmes in Yemen. The thematic areas to be covered in this assessment are; Livelihood and Food Security, Shelter/NFI, WASH, Protection and CCCM. Specifically, the assessment should come up with the following 

 

• Document a contextual analysis of the current humanitarian situation in assessment target areas, identifying risks of vulnerability to the affected population, needs, and explore gaps in humanitarian coverage, recommending programmatic interventions in emergency relief and sustainable recovery, with suggested activities for resilience DRR mainstreaming/programming in the selected areas  

• Document Impact of the natural and manmade conflicts on the vulnerable people both household and community levels, assessing how it affects the economy of the community support and traditional governance structures 

• Identification of challenges and opportunities of humanitarian actors for addressing gaps towards inclusive service provision 

• Assess the affected community basic infrastructures and how the civil conflict  has affected their coping mechanisms and come up with a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and environmental context of area to assist the targeting and different needs of each community 

 

 

The assessment will be conducted in selected areas in Yemen and will be guided by the objectives, sectors and cross-cutting issues of interest. Specific locations will be selected from Abyan, Aden, Al Dhale’e, Amran, Hajjah, Laj, Sa’ada, Sana’s and Taizz. Accessibility to some of these suggested districts, to non-Yemis, may be dependent upon the security situation at the time of the field visit, and travel must be pre-approved by the DRC Safety Advisors. Applicants must explain how they plan to access the places in their expressions of interest 

 

 

• Develop an Inception Report detailing among other things; the process and methodologies to be employed to achieve the objectives of this consultancy as stated above. It should include all assessment tools, and important time schedules for this exercise, and be presented to DRC for review and further inputs, before going to the field. 

• Undertake desk review of the relevant secondary studies conducted by other partners, Cluster and DRC 

• Design, develop, critique (with DRC team) and refine data collection tools. 

• Conduct a comprehensive field based project evaluation [using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods]  

• Carry out data collection, entry and analysis and write up the final evaluation report based on DRC inputs into the draft version. 

 

 

It is envisioned that the assessment will be conducted using a combination of methodologies through primary and secondary data from reliable and relevant sources. The consultant will however, in consultation with DRC, design an appropriate and comprehensive methodology to conduct the assessment. The methodology should ensure an area-wise analysis and presentation of findings based on the objectives and by sectors stated above. The methodology may include but is not limited to review of existing information on infrastructures, collecting quantitative and qualitative data from returnees, government line ministries, service providers and community members etc. 

 

 

• Inception Report– The inception report will be a scoping exercise for the assessment and will include the proposed methodologies, data collection and reporting plans with draft data collection tools such as interview guides, the allocation of roles and responsibilities within the team, a timeframe with firm dates for deliverables, and the travel and logistical arrangements for the team. This is expected a maximum of four days after signing of the contract. 

• Debriefing meetings / Feedback to Area Managers at field levels – The consultant will report his/her preliminary findings to the DRC’s Area Managers, and DRC Monitoring and Evaluations Officer before leaving the field. 

• Draft Report – A draft report, identifying key findings, conclusions, recommendations for the current and future operation, and take in consideration the outputs of the debriefing session. This will be reviewed by DRC for initial feedback. 

• Final report – The final report (max 20 pages, excluding the preliminary pages and annexes), will contain a short executive summary (max 3 pages) and a main body of the report covering a description of the assessment methods and limitations, the background of humanitarian issues – specific to DRC’s sectors (for each of the districts), the findings, interventions, conclusions, lessons learned, clear recommendations (which includes assessment of risks/ humanitarian access). Recommendations should be specific, feasible, and in line with DRC’s strategic mandate.  

 

The report should also contain appropriate appendices, including a copy of the ToR, cited resources or bibliography, a list of those interviewed and any other relevant materials. The final assessment report will be submitted one week after receipt of the consolidated feedback from DRC. The report should be Five (5) Hard-cover-bound copies and soft copy in two (4) CD- ROMs in pdf version. 

 

 

The consultant will report to the DRC Emergency and Recovery Coordinator and closely coordinate field activities with the MEAL Manager. The Regional Emergency Advisor will provide support on a case to case basis. DRC staff in the evaluation areas will provide necessary support to the team, as may be needed. The Consultant may provide updates on progress as requested. 

DRC will provide the following to the lead consultant 

 

The terms and conditions of service will follow DRC terms of consultancies. Payment will be done according to the finance procedures of DRC/DDG. 

 

 

The consultant shall work under the direct supervision of DRC Yemen’s Emergency and Recovery Coordinator and admistrative oversight of the Country Director, Yemen.  

 

It is anticipated that the assessment will take 20 days from the date of signing the Contract, The Consultant/Consultancy firm should develop a feasible costed work plan/activity schedule covering an approximately 20 days and submit as integral part of the proposal for this consultancy. 

IDEAL  

DRC will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. DRC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder. Only those shortlisted will be contacted. Any subcontracting of the consultancy will not be accepted. 

 

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk. 

 

 

The consultant should be willing to work in the target areas of Yemen, where security allows. The consultant may have his/her own team to work with and then they will entirely be under the jurisdiction of the consultant and at no time will DRC/DDG be held responsible for them.  

 

 

Commitments: DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.DRC/DDG.dk/HAF.4265.0.html) 

 

 

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI)) via our online portal www.drc.dk under vacancies. The EoI should include 

  

• A suitability statement including CV of participating consultants with details of qualifications and experience. 

• Technical proposal that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology and tools to be used. 

• Work-plan clearly indicating the activity schedule. 

• Financial proposal providing cost estimates and consultancy fees. 

• Contacts of three organizations that have recently contracted you to carry out similar assignment.  

• The foreseen work plan for the days. Daily consulting rate is negotiable, although will be commensurate to DRC consultancy terms and standards. 

 

Please upload the expression of interest, in English and marked ‘Integrated Emergency Response Assessment in Yemen’ no later than 25th November 2017.