AT A GLANCE: MULTI-SECTOR INITIAL RAPID ASSESSMENT (MIRA)
Purpose: When a large-scale sudden onset disaster strikes, the Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA),
a coordinated needs assessment process, is one of the first steps in the humanitarian country team’s
emergency response. Based on its findings, humanitarian actors can develop a joint strategic plan, mobilize
resources and monitor the situation. The MIRA process is inter-agency, and underpinned by an analytical
framework that guides the identification of information needs and the systematic collection, organisation, and
analysis of secondary and primary community-level data.
What the MIRA can deliver
What the MIRA cannot deliver
 The initial common understanding of the most pressing
needs of affected populations, most affected areas, and
most affected groups
 Information to directly inform the design of
specific humanitarian interventions
 Information to help guide the planning of subsequent
more detailed and specific assessments
 An evidence base for strategic response planning
 Statistically representative data on
humanitarian needs
 A substitution for in-depth sectoral
assessments
 A voice for the affected populations
 A light, fast interagency process based on global best
practices in rapid needs assessments
Process:
The MIRA is implemented through a phased process of secondary and primary data collection, joint analysis
and reporting that takes place in the first two weeks following a disaster. After that period (Phases 3 and 4 in
the diagram below), it is expected that sector/agency specific needs assessments will then be conducted to
yield more specific information for response. Having an ‘adapted’ MIRA plan in place before a crisis strikes
(Phase 0 in the diagram below) will also help ensure a successful MIRA exercise.
Phase 1: Initiating a MIRA
Initiation or “triggering” of Phase 1 is ideally done by the appropriate government authority responsible for
coordinating emergency assessment in the country. Depending on the scale of the disaster, the HC, HCT and
government authorities in close coordination with the clusters may jointly determine the appropriate scope of
the exercise, establish a timeline, elaborate a coordination structure and identify resources available for
implementation.
The decision to launch a MIRA triggers a systematic inter-cluster review by the MIRA Team of all available
secondary data (both pre-crisis and post-crisis). The resulting analysis is focused on the humanitarian
dimensions of the crisis and the key document for informing initial strategic response planning and appeals.
Concurrently, planning begins for community-level assessments to be carried out in Phase 2 to help address
information gaps identified through the secondary data analysis, and assess with more detail the most
affected areas.1
1
Note that an HCT may opt to bypass Phase 2 in lieu of cluster/sector household level needs assessments if that capacity
exists.
Phase 2: Primary data collection and Reporting
On the basis of information needs identified during the review of secondary data, a community-level
assessment is carried out to collect primary data through location visits and interviews2. The MIRA team
brings together secondary and primary data in a joint analysis process to generate a MIRA Report that will
inform the next cycle of response analysis and strategic planning.3
Roles & Responsibilities
HCT






Initiate
conversation and
decide in-country if
MIRA is the most
appropriate tool for
the context.
Determine the
broad parameters
of the MIRA.
Identify the
analysis team
responsible for the
MIRA4 .
Critically review the
findings of the MIRA
report.
Use the MIRA
findings as the basis
for determining
initial and strategic
response priorities.
Approve the MIRA
findings
ICCG
Cluster
members/partners
MIRA Team
Government
 Review MIRA
report findings
prior to HCT
review
 Utilise findings
from the MIRA
for:
 Strategic
decision-making
 Harmonising
geographically
and sectorally
cluster/sector
detailed needs
assessments.
 Highlight initial
findings from field
assessment teams.
 Raise concerns
potential hazards,
known and
anticipated
vulnerabilities in
cluster meetings.
 Provide feedback on
geographic priority
areas based on need
rather than access.
 Indicate cultural
norms to be
considered when
conducting the
MIRA.
 Provide resources
and staff members
to the MIRA
 Determine data
collection
methodologies
and synthesis
technique, in
consultation with
the clusters.
 Plan and
coordinate the
MIRA.
 Analyse the MIRA
findings and Draft
and present
report to ICCG.
 Once reviewed by
ICCG present to
HCT.
 Provide leadership
and technical
support.
 Review the
findings of the
MIRA report.
Structure: The MIRA report is structured into six sections:
1. Priority needs: summarizes the three to five most pressing humanitarian problems at as holistic and intersectoral levels as appropriate. This section flags priority humanitarian needs, most affected regions, and
most affected groups
2. Impact of the crisis: describes the situation by analyzing drivers, underlying factors, geographic scope,
demographic profile and the situation of affected populations, while fully integrating a protection and
gender analysis.
3. Response capacities: includes the capacity of the HCT to deliver. In the Strategic Response Plan (SRP) this is
expanded to include an initial analysis of response capacity of humanitarian actors within and outside of
the HCT inclusive of national government, affected populations and other organizations. Note that this will
be addressed in more depth in the SRP.5
4. Humanitarian access: constraints could be physical, political or bureaucratic. Security constraints include
the safety and conditions for implementing humanitarian assistance. Special considerations may apply in
case a peacekeeping or political mission is deployed in the country.
5. Most likely scenario: How humanitarian impacts, needs, response capacities and access are likely to evolve
in the near and mid – term.
6. Information gaps: highlights information gaps that will continue to impact response operations and require
further assessments unless additional, more detailed assessments are carried out
2 MIRA Sampling techniques typically focus on the community or community group level; sample sizes are generally small and focused and not
intended to be statistically representative
3
Reference the SRP guidance
4
Comprised of cluster representatives, representatives from the affected population, needs assessment technical experts from clusters, NGO
and government
5
Link to guidance