IOM - Assessment on the Psychosocial Needs of Haitians Affected ...

II.
METHODS
The assessment was conducted between May 2010 and August 2010, with the aim to
identify the general level of distress in the population, to highlight its possible sources
and list existing coping mechanisms to enhance and support. The quantitative part of the
assessment in particular, tried to prioritize locations and thematic sectors of intervention,
based on the correlations between levels of distress, geographical distribution and certain
social indicators.
Objectives
The assessment objectives are a) to provide all humanitarian actors with information and
insights that can make them more psychosocial sensitive and aware, while providing
assistance, and b) to help psychosocial professionals to conceive specific psychosocial
programs targeting the psychosocial conditions of internally displaced Haitians. More
specifically, the study aims at identifying correlations of distress with geographical
locations and social conditions, and to qualitatively look at existing coping mechanisms
and possible responses.
Study type
Logistical and capacity constraints made it impossible to conduct a detailed assessment.
It was therefore decided to use Rapid Appraisal Procedures for the following reasons:
• Consistency with former <strong>IOM</strong> assessments. The assessment on “Psychosocial
Status of IDPs Communities in Iraq” (<strong>IOM</strong>; 2006) brought to the elaboration of
appropriate assessment tools, which were readapted for the current assessment.
The same tools were successfully re-adapted and used for an assessment on the
“Psychosocial Needs of Displaced and Returnees Communities in Lebanon
Following the War Events”, (<strong>IOM</strong>; 2006), the ”<strong>Assessment</strong> on Psychosocial
Needs of Iraqis Displaced in Jordan and Lebanon” (<strong>IOM</strong>, 2008) and smaller scale
initiatives in DRC and Kenya.
• Flexibility. Relying on multiple sources whose weight may vary according to the
circumstances, it guarantees a wide degree of flexibility, within a scientific
context.
• Relevance. Its approach is holistic and includes evaluation of existing initiatives
in the field. In addition, it gives importance to local knowledge including the
beneficiaries’ evaluation of the situation. The RAP approach is likely to avoid
prejudgments of the situation under analysis.
• Participatory process. It allows interviewers to contribute in the process of
reviewing and adapting the tools, according to their understanding of the specifics
of the local community.
• Rapidity. It allows conducting a scientific based assessment in a limited period of
time, and allows a qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of results. This last
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