How to do VCA? - International Federation of Red Cross and Red ...

60International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies■ In any event, all VCA team members should participate. Forexample, it may be worthwhile to return the information tothe specific groups they worked with during the VCA. Thiswill also help to build on-going relations between the branchand the community, and will facilitate the planning and implementationof resulting projects.KeymessageYou now have baseline data that has beenapproved by all those involved in theVCA. Baseline data is necessary tomeasure the impact of any projects to beimplemented. By comparing this data withinformation collected once the project hasbeen completed, you should be able todemonstrate that the activities to reducevulnerability and build capacity have hada positive impact on the lives ofcommunity members.One other point to keep in mind is that community membersmay now ask you – once again – what is going to happen next?You may have already explained several times that the next step isto introduce and organize the planning process. But, talk it overwith the community as many times as necessary, so that everythingis clear.Remember that VCA requires continuous analysis. As moreinformation becomes available, volunteers and communitymembers need to ensure that the conclusions and the recommendationsare constantly reviewed, updated and disseminated.Once the data collection and analysis has been completed, the realwork with the community begins – i.e. the actual planning ofactions with the community to reduce risk and increase capacity.