CAMP PROFILES

8.1 Overview and Function

Camp profiles provide a consolidated overview of population statistical data, geographic data, the life-saving sectors, cross-cutting sectoral analysis, and information on activities and gaps in 3W data throughout the initial phase of an emergency.

A camp profile is an information product that assembles information about a camp from multiple data systems in order to give a comprehensive picture of the situation. It is a useful tool for donor briefing kits, new staff arrivals and delegations that visit a camp. It is also useful for coordination and planning purposes. Camp profiles can be in both hardcopy and electronic (e.g. generated by a website) formats. Camp profiles also aid camp management by detailing the cultural background of camp residents, camp resident-organized committees and host community administrative structures, thereby helping responding humanitarians to work within local governance structures.

The camp profile must be disseminated regularly to ensure that parallel information structures are not created and that emergency responders are aware of where to find information.

8.2 How-to Guide

Working with the protection, programme and field officers, the Information Manager may begin to compile the standard camp profile within the first week of arriving in an emergency. A camp profile template is included in the annexes of this section of the Toolkit.

During the first few weeks following the onset of a refugee emergency, it is important to populate the camp profile with all information known about the situation. This includes initial population estimates, demographic and geographic data, as well as information known about the population of concern and partners on the ground responding to the emergency.

The camp profile may also be compiled based on information gathered during an initial emergency needs assessment. Ideally, deciding which information to include or exclude on a camp profile should be done in collaboration with partners, who should be encouraged to provide information for the profile.

When sourcing the information for the camp profile, the Information Manager should leverage the camp management structure. If information needed for the camp profile is unavailable from existing data systems, a data collection form build around the gaps in information can be designed and submitted to the camp manager for populating via the camp coordination partner or NGO. The camp coordinator can then analyze and compile the information, sending it back to the Information Manager for inclusion in the camp profile.

The UNHCR Representative or, as delegated by the Representative, the emergency team leader must clear the camp profile. Once cleared, the camp profile should be cross-analyzed and disseminated to the humanitarian community during the first phase of an emergency through weekly coordination meetings. It can then be uploaded on the UNHCR web portal by the Information Manager. Camp profiles can also be made available inside the camps for when visitors arrive, at hardcopy “Information Stations” in UNHCR offices or through e-mail distribution lists.

Thereafter, the camp profile should be updated with additional registration or demographic information, with developments in the life-saving sectors or with any other information that may be useful in responding to the emergency.

For the first four months of an emergency, the camp profile should detail the following:

• Camp information: Name of camp, date it opened, geographic information for the camp (including GPS coordinates), camp phase, as well as emergency and, if possible, site planning information, such as the area of the site, the number of plots, the maximum capacity of the camp, etc.
• Population statistics: Either at the individual or household level, as well as the date the statistics were collected, population demographic information and cultural background of residents. The profile should also mention whether the residents have identity documentation, ration cards, nutrition records or other documentation that will help to facilitate individual or household case management.
• Life-saving sectoral information: Mortality rates, morbidity data, WASH indicators, shelter and CRI, food, protection and vulnerability assessment.
• Once in place, include information on camp coordination structures.
• Include a running list of 3W information, including areas where there are gaps in ownership of needed activities. This latter part will inform donors and newly arrived partners of ways in which they can get involved.

Tip: The camp profile is a fluid document during the beginning of an emergency, especially as the situation may be changing rapidly and information may be difficult to obtain. Therefore, it is better to include whatever information is known (albeit changing) on the camp profile template, rather than leave it blank.