RESPONSE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING WORKSHOP
April 29, 2013 to May 1, 2013
Concepts and Definitions
RESPONSE ANALYSIS
At a workshop convened by the UN FAO and WFP in 2011, defined Response Analysis:
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The link between situation analysis (broadly speaking, needs assessment and other
contextual information) and programme design
Involves the selection of programme options, modalities and target groups; and
Informed by considerations of appropriateness and feasibility, as well as other factors,
such as cost effectiveness, efficiency and risk and should simultaneously address needs
while analyzing and minimizing potential harmful effects.
Overall, it is about collecting and analyzing evidence on these factors in order to guide an
evidence based decision making process.
CAUSAL ANALYSIS
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Identifies major problems and their causes (Immediate, Intermediate, underlying) and effects.
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For clarity, a sketch of tree is drawn showing its three parts: the root, stem and branches.
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The stem represented the problem, roots the causes while the branches the effects.
RISK
The probability of something negative happening in the future which will cause suffering, harm and loss
HAZARD
An extreme event or occurrence which has the potential to cause injury to life and damage to property
and the environment
VULNERABILITY
 Defines the characteristics of a person or group and their situation that influence their capacity to
anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from the impact of a hazard.”
• It involves a combination of factors that determine the degree to which someone’s life, livelihood,
property and other assets are put at risk by a discrete and identifiable event (or series or cascade
of such events) in nature and society.
o Vulnerability is more about defenselessness, insecurity, exposure to hazards and shocks, inability
to cope and recover from them.
CONTINGENCY PLANNING
A process that analyses specific potential events or hazards that might threaten a community and
establishes arrangements in advance to enable timely, effective and appropriate responses to such
events.
EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
The systems needed to generate and distribute timely and clear hazard warning information, to enable
individuals, communities and organizations to prepare and to act appropriately in sufficient time to
reduce harm or loss.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
A set of activities implemented soon after a disaster, designed to save lives, reduce suffering and
promote speedy recovery, building on the remaining capacities of the community.
DISASTER
The result of a hazard’s impact on a vulnerable community, causing damage to life, assets or livelihoods
in a way which exceeds the community’s capacity to cope.
DISASTER RISK
The potential disaster losses, in lives, health, livelihoods, assets and services, which could occur to a
particular community over some specified future time period.
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
Measures taken to reduce losses from a disaster, ie reducing exposure to hazards, reducing vulnerability
and increasing capacity.
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PLAN
A document prepared by an authority, organization or community that sets out goals and specific
objectives for reducing disaster risks, together with a set of actions to achieve these objectives.
MITIGATION
Measures taken in advance of a disaster, aimed at reducing the adverse impact of the hazard on people,
property and the environment.
RECOVERY
The restoration and improvement of facilities, livelihoods and living conditions of disaster affected
communities, designed to reduce disaster risk and apply ‘build back better’ principles.
REHABILITATION
Rebuilding of housing, livelihoods and social structures damaged by a disaster, ideally to a standard
which will resist the impact of a similar hazard in future
RESILIENCE
A commonly used definition of resilience is “the ability of groups or communities to cope with external
stresses and disturbances as a result of social, political and environmental change” (Adger 2000). In a
food security context, resilience is defined as “the ability of a household to keep with a certain level of
well-being (i.e. being food secure) by withstanding shocks and stresses.” This depends on available
livelihood options and on how well households are able to handle risks. This definition implicitly
considers both (ex-ante) actions that reduce the risk of households becoming food insecure, and
(ex-post) actions that help households cope after a crisis occurs.
The ability of a community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, adjust to and recover from the
effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner.
CAPACITIES
Strengths or resources (present in individuals, households and communities) which increase ability to
prepare for cope with and recover from a hazardous event.
ADAPTATION
Taking action to cope with climate change and environmental degradation
ADAPTIVE CAPACITY
The potential of individuals, communities, and societies to be actively involved in the processes of
change, in order to minimize negative impacts and maximize any benefits from changes in the climate