SMART Methodology Version 1
March 6, 2007

 

Presentation & Demonstration Summary (PDF 34kb)

Objectives:
· To introduce SMART Methodology Version 1 to NGO partners
· To provide hands-on experience with Nutrisurvey software program
· To discuss NGO monitoring and evaluation (relief and development)
 

 

SMART Methodology Version 1
April 2006

 

We are pleased to announce that the SMART Methodology Version 1 (PDF 1.5Mb) and the SMART Calculator (XLS 800Kb) have been finalized based on pilot-testing in several countries:

  • Chad (Action Against Hunger USA – nutrition/mortality/software)
  • Madagascar (UNICEF – nutrition/mortality/software)
  • Mali (Action Against Hunger Spain – nutrition/mortality/software)
  • Niger (Action Against Hunger Spain – nutrition/mortality/software)
  • Nigeria (MSF/France – food security)
  • Somalia (FAO – nutrition/software).

Grateful thanks to those who used the draft and provided feedback for finalizing Version 1. We encourage further field use to help develop Version 2. A meeting will be organized in about 10-12 months to collectively review these field experiences.

A comprehensive capacity building program is being initiated to help field implementers. Opportunities for training will be announced via this website.

This critical work was made possible by funds provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Thanks also to those who provided their own funds for pilot-testing, including Action Against Hunger, MSF, and FAO/Somalia.

 

 

"The draft SMART Methodology Version 1 have place-holders for the sections on Interpretation and Recommendations.
Kindly review the sections from the SCF/UK manual as a starting point for discussion.
Comments should be sent to , and ."

 

 

 

SMART Roll Out Meeting
“Saving Lives: the Right Information for the Right Decision”
June 23 - 24, 2005

 

UNICEF is pleased to announce that SMART Methodology Version 1, with a Windows-based analytical software program and standardized reporting format, has been developed and pilot-tested by partners. This is a significant contribution that will begin the harmonization of needs assessments and monitoring of emergencies. The SMART Methodology draws from core elements of several methodologies and current best practices in assessing nutritional status, mortality rate, and food security. It is iterative, with continuous upgrading that will be informed by research and best practices. In this primer version, the food security component is “work in progress.”

This is a follow-up to the July 2002 international workshop, organized by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), that recommended the development of the SMART standardized methodology. We are very grateful to The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for supporting this critical work.

The June 23rd opening event was hosted by the UNICEF Executive Director, Ms. Ann Veneman, followed by a technical meeting that discussed SMART Methodology Version 1. The proceedings from the meeting will be available soon.

 

 

SMART Protocol 01/27/05 (*.htm) (*.pdf)

 

"SMART Protocol Version 1" has been developed and is available for review. This is a survey methodology that integrates the assessment of nutritional status, mortality rate and food security with an accompanying windows-based analytical software. The software is simple and flexible for data entry and analysis, with quality assurance checks built into the program. The software is available at www.nutrisurvey.de/ena/ena.htm. The development of the "SMART Protocol" is iterative based on research findings and best practices. The attached draft "Version 1" should serve as the primer or the basic essential tool for assessment.

 

 

 

CE-DAT:
A Global Database on the Human Impact of Conflicts and other Complex Emergencies

The Complex Emergency Database (CE-DAT) is an international initiative to monitor and evaluate the health status of populations in regions affected by conflicts and other complex emergencies.

CE-DAT, maintained by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, aims to:

  • Provide key mortality, nutritional and health indicators for rational humanitarian aid decision-making.
  • Promote the effectiveness of international policies on conflict prevention and response through evidence-based trend analyses and impact briefings.
  • Strengthen the capacity of national and international field agencies in data collection.
  • Improve standardization and establish norms to enable the comparability of complex emergency data across time and space.

    The database, covering some 40 countries worldwide, is publicly-accessible through the CE-DAT website and includes essential health indicators such as mortality, malnutrition, and vaccination coverage rates.

    To consult the database, please go to www.cedat.be

 

 

 
Ralte, Anne (USAID). SMART: a collaborative approach to determining humanitarian needs, Humanitarian Exchange, Humanitarian Practice Network at ODI, Number 32 December 2005.
"The way in which humanitarian needs are defined and prioritised can mean the difference between life and death for millions of the world’s poorest people. It is,therefore, critical that donors and humanitarian organisations invest effort and resources to ensure that our understanding is as accurate as possible, and programmes are directed to those most in need.

Responses to emergencies require a consistently accurate picture of the scale and nature of the problems people face. Decisions should be informed by that understanding. But until now there has been no system-wide framework for judging the relative severity of situations. This may change with the Standardised Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) initiative."

Link
 

 

 

 

Proposed Field Protocols for Core Data Collection 
Survey Package.zip

 

This program is developed as an interagency collaboration. Program web site is developed and maintained by the (CERTI) and hosted by the Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer, part of Tulane University.


Please note that this web site is intended to be an online workspace for the SMART program, and as such is under constant revision.


 


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