Lebanon’s ongoing crises—from displacement and food insecurity to fragmented humanitarian programs—highlight the critical need for accurate, timely data to guide relief efforts effectively. With hundreds of thousands of people still displaced, a sharp rise in food insecurity and lack of centralized humanitarian relief programs, capturing accurate data is key, to tackle these challenges.
We spoke to Anna Maria Ibrahim (AMI), Marketing Coordinator at B.O.T, to discuss how the organization has been actively working to provide timely Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) support through data collection and management services, including rapid needs assessments to various entities since the start of the humanitarian crisis.
BBD: Can you tell us a bit about what B.O.T. has been doing in the humanitarian relief area, given all that has happened in Lebanon recently?
AMI: B.O.T has played a pivotal role in supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon during these challenging times. With a focus on accurate and timely data collection, we have partnered with NGOs, international organizations, and government entities to provide actionable insights that guide relief programs. Our services include needs assessments, rapid assessments, and program evaluations through field and remote data collection methods.
For example, during the recent economic and political crises, as well as the aftermath of natural disasters, B.O.T mobilized its skilled workforce to collect data on displaced families, assess their needs, and provide insights on food security, shelter, and access to education. These efforts have been instrumental in helping organizations prioritize aid distribution and make informed decisions to address the most urgent community needs.
BDD: How important is capturing and analyzing accurate data in humanitarian relief efforts?
AMI: Accurate data is the backbone of effective humanitarian relief efforts. Without precise and timely information, organizations risk misallocating resources, duplicating efforts, or overlooking critical areas of need. Capturing and analyzing accurate data ensures that relief programs are targeted, inclusive, and impactful.
Data helps organizations understand the scope of the crisis, identify vulnerable groups, and prioritize interventions. For example, accurate needs assessments can reveal disparities in access to healthcare or education, allowing relief efforts to focus on marginalized communities that need help the most. Additionally, analyzing this data provides accountability to donors and stakeholders, ensuring that aid reaches its intended recipients.
BDD: Do you have any concrete examples on how data-driven decisions have improved humanitarian aid?
AMI: Yes, one of our recent projects involved conducting a rapid needs assessment to support emergency relief efforts for displaced families. By deploying a combination of field and remote data collection methods, we were able to gather comprehensive information on over 3,000 households. The insights helped our partner NGO prioritize the most vulnerable populations and allocate resources for immediate needs such as food distribution and medical assistance.
Another example is our work with an NGO on assessing children’s access to education during the economic crisis in Lebanon. By collecting data on household conditions and educational barriers, we identified key challenges and helped the NGO to allocate needed compensation for them to be able to provide educational balance for all.
BDD: How have you supported clients and their relief programs through custom data collection services?
AMI: B.O.T offers tailored data collection services that align with the specific objectives and contexts of each client. For relief programs, we assist clients in:
- Field and remote data collection: Our trained workforce conducts in-person and phone-based surveys, ensuring data is collected efficiently, even in hard-to-reach areas.
- Quality assurance: We implement strict data validation and monitoring processes to ensure accuracy and reliability.
- Real-time reporting: Our services include live dashboards and data visualization, allowing clients to monitor progress and make quick decisions.
For example, we helped a client implement a multi-phase rapid assessment to track changes in community needs during an emergency. By providing custom reports and real-time updates, we enabled the organization to adapt its relief strategy in response to evolving conditions.
BDD: What balance would you recommend between field and remote, or secondary data collection?
AMI: The balance between field, remote, and secondary data collection depends on the context and objectives of the project:
- Field data collectionis ideal for gathering detailed, in-depth insights directly from communities, especially in cases where personal interaction is needed or when assessing physical conditions such as infrastructure or living environments.
- Remote data collectionis more efficient for reaching larger populations in a short time, particularly when field access is restricted due to security, health risks, or logistical challenges. Phone or online surveys work well for gathering basic quantitative and qualitative data.
- Secondary data collectionis valuable for understanding baseline conditions and supplementing primary data. It is often quicker and cost-effective but should be complemented by primary data to fill gaps and validate findings.
We recommend a hybrid approach whenever possible, as it combines the strengths of all methods to ensure comprehensive and accurate results.
BDD: How does B.O.T. ensure data quality and accuracy?
AMI: B.O.T places a strong emphasis on data quality and accuracy through the following measures:
- Training and Capacity Building: All data collectors undergo rigorous training to ensure they understand the tools, methodologies, and ethical considerations of the project.
- Pilot Testing: We conduct pilot studies to test and refine survey tools before full-scale implementation, ensuring they capture relevant and actionable data.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Using advanced data collection platforms, we track responses in real time to identify and address inconsistencies or errors immediately.
- Quality Assurance Processes: Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts validation checks, spot reviews, and back-checks to ensure data accuracy.
- Clear Communication: Project managers maintain open lines of communication with clients, ensuring that data collection aligns with project goals and client expectations.
- Data Burn: Once the project is closed and the report is done we remove all data specific to the project and given from the client from our database.
Through these practices, B.O.T ensures that the data we deliver is reliable, actionable, and impactful for our clients’ decision-making processes.
Discover how B.O.T can support your humanitarian programs with accurate and reliable data collection: https://www.letsbot.io/data-collection/
