The development of a Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) is the first step in the implementation of the HPC in a protracted crisis. It may also be used in the later stages of a sudden onset crisis, if deemed useful by the RC/HC and HCT, or in a new slow onset crisis or escalating protracted crisis. 

The HNO consolidates needs information on a crisis. It is a coordinated approach to analyse, outline, prioritize the needs of affected people and provides key information and figures on people in need. It is based on cluster and/or multi-sector needs assessments as well as monitoring data, survey results etc. The HNO supports the HCT in developing a shared understanding of the most pressing issues, the impact and evolution of a crisis, which in turn provides the basis for strategic response planning. It ensures that credible evidence and a joint analysis of needs underpins the humanitarian response.

HNOs are initiated by the RC/HC and HCT and coordinated by OCHA with clusters supporting the analysis process.

HNO Steps and Process 

The HNO process follows a series of steps, clearly defined in line with the “HPC Step by Step Guidance”, which is released annually in advance of the HNO and HRP process. This section focusses mainly on the FSC specific HNO actions within this process and Coordinators are recommended to consult the guidance for details.  However, an overview diagram and summary of the steps (as of 2022) flagging key FSC actions, are included in Annex II. 

HNO Content

The HNO consists of several components, which the FSC and the FSC Coordination Team actively contributes to, including: 

• The Impact of the Crisis and Humanitarian Needs: It explains the crisis context, the key shocks and their impacts, and the resulting humanitarian needs. The analysis is intersectoral (see text box below on the JIAF - often the tool used to support this process), with an emphasis on the combination of needs and factors that coexist for the same people – it should also be crosscutting (covering topics such as the impact on and of gender inequality, disability concerns etc. – see 5.7).  
• The Evolution of Crisis and Needs: It includes risk analysis and projects the evolution of current humanitarian needs, including types, numbers and locations of people in need, based on a risk, vulnerabilities and capacities analysis.    
• The Sector Specific Chapter: For each cluster, a detailed sectoral analysis will provide complementary information on sectoral needs and how these contribute to the identified humanitarian needs. The analysis will also be linked to the intersectoral analysis, referencing the selected priority population groups, geographic locations and/or thematic issues. The sectoral analyses will both 1) inform (i.e. they provide the data, indicators etc) and 2) be informed by the intersectoral analysis (which helps sectors understand how factors in other sectors influence their sectoral needs). 

Note: The sectoral chapter can either be part of the main HNO document or included as an annex. If the full analysis is not in the document, a sectoral overview (main figures and maps) should be included at a minimum.

For a detailed description of the HNO content, please refer to the most recent HNO guidance as part of the HPC facilitation package.