World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

The main tool of the Participatory Assessment is the Semi-Structured Interviews; applied in focus group discussions on a few key topics with groups separated by age and gender, and more in depth key informant interviews with persons directly engaged in the situation and possessing valuable first-hand knowledge, including community leaders and Government officials. This process results in detailed, qualitative information in relation to specific topics and allows for an initial analysis of the challenges faced by women, girls, men and boys in the community. It is also an opportunity to gather insights into cultural practices, traditional protection mechanisms, and other issues which maybe affecting community members. The Task Force developed two check lists to structure focus group discussions and key informant interviews around key themes regarding protection, access to health and education, food, child labor, economic conditions and livelihoods, dynamics of co-existence, sense of community and future plans.

The general objective of the rapid assessment in Iraq, was to provide quick information on IDP (internally displaced person) characteristics and establish their current food security status.