Funded by
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Between 2006 and 2009, Groupe URD provided support to the Colombian branch of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the development, adoption and promotion of a manual on managing Priority Zones. The objective of this manual is to promote an integrated vision of the issues that affect local people, their needs and their problems. It helps staff plan operations which include the various dimensions of aid: protection, health, food and economic security, infrastructure and watsan.
The manual was written following broad consultation with key ICRC delegates in Colombia (coordinators, heads of delegation and national teams, etc.). It includes seven quality criteria which can be used for each phase of the priority zone management cycle. The same criteria can be used to carry out initial assessments and to design, monitor and evaluate projects.
Training and coaching sessions and workshops were organised with local delegations so that the manual could be adapted and appropriated by them. Similar courses were given to local ICRC teams in Pakistan (Kashmir) and Kenya on initial assessments, project management and evaluation. Some practical applications also took place in the field.