Background of DIFP:

The main objective of appointing focal point NGOs in each district is to set up a reliable network of DER members for effective and quick communication in terms of information exchange among DER members. collection, compilation and coordination from districts. These focal point agencies will be responsible for collecting district level disaster related information from different sources and then compiling and disseminating that information systematically to the DER secretariat for wide circulation.

Objectives of having a Focal Point in each district:

• To set up a reliable network of DER member organizations
• To strengthen ground level information collection and sharing
• Getting proper and accurate ground level information on disaster and its impact promptly to help alert people to plan, prepare and face the challenge
• Effective and quick communication in terms of information exchange among DER members during disasters
• Enable DER Secretariat to disseminate analyzed information rapidly

Selection Criteria for District Information Focal Point:

A DER member organization/ agency or its pre-qualified partner who -

• would like to volunteer as Focal Point, have wide organizational presence within the district and have coordination experience with other organizations in terms of emergency preparedness and response activities
• has the willingness to gather and disseminate disaster related information within the district that need external assistance
• has the willingness to fill out the Rapid Initial Report (RIR) in collaboration with government officials and community and to send it to DER Secretariat

Initial Selection Process:

DER members are asked to nominate themselves or their suitable partner NGOs as a DIFP to take lead role in ground level information gathering, sharing and disaster needs assessment process. The DER members were asked to make sure that the nominated agency/organization

(a) is willing to volunteer work as DER District Information Focal Point;
(b) is well accepted by community and other organizations of the district;
(c) has wide presence within the district;
(d) has previous coordination experience with other organizations on project activities;
(e) is willing to fill out the Rapid Initial Report (RIR) in collaboration with community, government officials and other organizations

Expected Roles of DIFP:

(a) Ground Level Information Collection:
- Collect emergency related information on any emergency issues within the district from various sources, current situation, need of assistance, response activity etc.
- Maintain regular contacts with different organizations/branch offices within the district in order to get real information on disaster matters.
- Collect information regularly from local government, NGOs, UN, BWD and other sources on flood/ flood related disaster situation from district/upazila/union level

(b) Information Compiling:
- Gather numerical information may need to be summarized in text format.
- Ensure that collected information is accurate and consistent by quality checking

(c) Information Sharing:
- Update DER principal contact point organization on any emergency issues within the district.
- Compiled and summarized information in a simple and standard format will be sent to DER secretariat every 1-2 days during emergency and every week during non-emergency.
- Maintain constant communication with the DER secretariat and respond promptly to any query asked by any of the DER members.

(d) Supporting needs assessment processes:
- Fill out the Rapid Initial Report (RIR) format in collaboration with community, government officials and other organizations and send it to DER principal contact point organization for their forwarding to DER Secretariat

(e) Situation Monitoring:
- Disaster situation monitoring within the district