Many development organisations rely on needs assessments to determine their approach to supporting specific target communities or groups. In a humanitarian setting this may include basic needs of a population which are not being met such as food and water, shelter, basic rights and hygiene. In a development context needs may be wide ranging and specific to different groups within a population such as specific ethnicities, youth, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. A needs assessment approach allows an organisation to determine the needs of their target communities to either inform future intervention design or provide learning for existing project.

The Bridge can provide organisations with full needs assessment services ranging from identifying target populations, development of data collection priorities and strategies, carrying out a range of data collection types including in-depth consultation with vulnerable communities, and data analysis to provide the client with a thorough assessment of community needs and experiences. This can be expanded with supporting the client with recommendations for future approaches based on needs identified.

We have provided needs assessments including most recently a rapid participatory needs assessment in rural townships in conflict-affected Rakhine State for an international humanitarian NGO.