Measurement of perceived needs in humanitarian contexts using the HESPER scale
A scoping study with reflections on the collaboration between researchers and humanitarian actors.
Abstract
The Humanitarian Emergency Settings Perceived Needs Scale (HESPER) assesses a wide range of physical, psychological and social perceived needs across 26 questions. This scoping review aimed to determine the scientific use of HESPER, or HESPER Web, to report on previously published perceived needs in humanitarian emergencies, and to discuss how scientific and humanitarian actors can work together in partnership for needs assessment in humanitarian settings.
The paper finds that inventorying the needs from the perspective of the affected population is important to tailor the response to each humanitarian emergency. It is essential that results from a scientific needs inventory are shared with adequate humanitarian stakeholders to not only facilitate a proper response, but also to foster a closer collaboration between scientists, humanitarians, and the affected population. Doing so would increase the development and use of evidence in practice when providing humanitarian aid.
This research was supported by the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Programme.
Citation
Hugelius, K. ‘Measurement of perceived needs in humanitarian contexts using the HESPER scale: a scoping study with reflections on the collaboration between researchers and humanitarian actors’. Conflict and Health 2022: volume 16, issue 44.