Community Needs Assessment

Aim

The aim of a community recovery needs assessment is to pull together information on the human impacts as experienced by the affected population, and the resulting medium and long-term recovery needs and priorities. The Community Needs Assessment is seeking to assess what has changed within a community from the normal baseline and what programs and activities must be undertaken to assist the community in their recovery. Community Needs Assessment relies on the experience and local knowledge of local Community Service providers both formal and informal.

Purpose

Community need is the driver for all recovery operations. The aim of this community needs assessment is to help inform the transition from immediate/short term relief to medium level recovery. It will help inform the community’s recovery needs and assist in establishing priorities for the recovery plan and the resources required.   

Medium to long term recovery requires functional lead agencies, council and the community have put in place systems and processes that ensure the ongoing provision of recovery support to those who need it after the departure of recovery workers from the disaster area.  

Once analysed, the data may assist with informing future funding proposals and community initiatives or disaster preparedness programs.

Introduction

Information is being sought from local community service organisations about how the recent floods may be affecting local communities. This information will be used to identify community health and wellbeing needs that may inform any recovery strategies.

The survey is not designed to be completed by community members directly.