Participatory Assessment - Refworld

in OperationsMethod 1: Participatory observation and spot checksParticipatory observation is a way of looking at the situation orbehaviour of people so as to compare it with what peoplereport. It also presents a good opportunity to ask questions topersons of concern about how they use certain services, suchas health, water, sanitation, etc. and how they live their lives.It is a useful means of obtaining a better picture of theprotection situation, particularly of aspects that are difficult forparticipants to verbalize. Observation can also help to put intocontext information provided by refugees. For example,refugees may have access to latrines, but a visit to them mayreveal that they are unusable or dangerous for children.Participatory observation may uncover structural problems inthe accessibility of services (e.g. food distributions, health andpolice posts, behaviour of security guards controlling refugeeaccess to UNHCR and implementing partner offices) orinterpersonal behaviour/group dynamics within the community.For example, observation of a water-distribution point revealedthat male community members kept order among the womenand children collecting water by using a whip.Observation sites can include playgrounds, classrooms, firewoodcollection areas, markets, transportation services in the case ofrepatriations, entrances to UNHCR offices, and queues for nonfooditems to check conditions and arrangements for olderpersons, pregnant women, etc. Observations can also be carriedout at locations where partners deliver services, especially inurban areas, e.g. HIV counselling centres, childcare centres,schools.Spot checks and informal chats at distribution points or at anyof the above sites may give a better idea of what individualsthink about their situation (daily workload and challenges) andhow they are organized. Combined with participatoryobservation, spot checks provide an opportunity to review the3