User:Zulu130

=Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Profiling=

Who is an IDP?
An IDP is an individual or a group of individuals who have been forced to flee their are of habitual residence. IDPs unlike refugees remain within the boarders of their countr of origin. As a result, the primary responsibility of IDPs rest on the shoulders of their government. Yet, it is often those very same governments that are the cause of displacement.

Protection needs 

Due to their displacement, IDPs often experience increased vulnerability which puts them at risk for being subjected to further attack and abuse.

== Profiling What is profiling? Profiling is the process of collecting data on IDPs and other persons of concern. In order to this however we must first identify who they are and the reasons for their displacement. Based on this data we can then provide IDPs and other persons of concern by developing policies, advocate, implement development programs.

The Data
At it's core the data should always include
 * The average number of displaced persons disagragated by age, sex, and ethnicity
 * The location
 * The cause or causes of displacement
 * The patterns of dsplacement
 * Their protection and humanitarian needs
 * Coping mechanisms
 * Durable solution, if available

Disaggregation of data is crucial to profiling exercise, for without it we cannot define a project as profiling IDP situations.

Profiling of IDP situation is considered to be a process whichinvolves developing methodologies, questionnaires, collection of data as a part of a systematic process. As a result, profiling of IDP situations should be considered a collaborative process wherein one promotes the collaboration of governments, humanitarians and development actors. Another important aspect of collaboration is to reduce the effect of "survey fatigue" amongst IDPs; but also to ensure full participation of the planning operations.

In order to conduct a profiling exercise we can use a rangeof methodologies for data collections and analysis, both qualitative andquantitative with existing information, rapid population estimations, satelliteimagery, movement tracking systems, focus group discussions, household surveysand key informant interviews.

Why profile?
A profiling exercise is usually conducted following a desk review which is primarily done to identify gaps in existing information. This desk review may identify the need for profiling if there is.
 * A lack of consensus on figures
 * A lack of figures, disagragated by sex, age and ethnicity
 * The inflation and deflation of figures
 * A need to promote awareness concerning an IDP siutation
 * A need to update information and inform policy
 * The abscence of basic information concerning IDPs
 * A change in the dynamic of information during a time of crisis, i.e., during a new wave of displacement for instance

Who can initiate a profiling exercise?
International communities, humanitarian actors andgovernments of a country may choose to initiate a profiling exercise. Howeverthe decision to undertake a profiling exercise should be collaborative andconsultative. Furthermore a profiling exercise can occur at different stages of theinternal displacement situations. In fact, timing should never be a barrier toimplementing a profiling exercise. All parties involved namely, governments,humanitarian actors and development actors should be aware of the informationrequirements and plan ahead.

Steps to a profiling exercise?
Based on the Profiling IDP situations step-by-step:

1. There has to be a need for the profiling: which is determined from the desk review.

2.     One must advocate and lobby: this involves defining the need and objectives of theprofiling exercise. This is also the time in which funding must be secured.

3.     Process management: the working group must establish a work plan, as well as atimeline, and conclude all agreements with the profiling partners.

4.     Draft the methodology: develop a methodology for the exercise.

5.     Develop the questionnaires and analysis plan: decide on the technical and analyticalside of things such as the way to refine the methodology and tools.

6.     Data collection and field organization: conduct the data collection exercise throughfocus group discussions.

7.     Data processing and reporting: this involves processing and analyzing the databefore completing the final report. A consensus must be reached on the finalreport that will then be disseminated as widely as possible.

Note: Gathering information in the initial stages of crisis is incredibly crucial. This is done by extrapolating core data.