DTM & Partners Toolkit FAQ
Check our Frequently Asked Questions. Contact DTMSupport@iom.int if you have additional question
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Are DTM MSLA data what I need for my analysis?
Partners (decision makers, subject-matter experts) should start by identifying the decisions they need to make for their response planning and the information they need to make informed decisions (Partners’ Analytical Frameworks can help them identify information needs). -
DTM Multi Sectoral Location Assessment (MSLA) data are often used to understand scope and scale of displacement, as well as trends. They are also used operationally, for example to raise alerts and red flags on locations in urgent sectoral need, and to help prioritize locations for follow up sectoral assessment and other actions.
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What information can I get from DTM MSLA?
MSLA collects information per each location, including access, number of persons, an indication of sex and age disaggregated data, an indication of scale of specific groups, available services, physical obstacles to accessing services and assistance, access to infrastructure, settlement types, and generally issues related to availability of goods and services. -
What is DTM & How does DTM collect data?
The Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) is a system to track and monitor displacement and population mobility, provide critical information to decision-makers and humanitarian actors during crises, and contribute to better understandings of population flows, their needs and resources.
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DTM data contribute to partners’ humanitarian decision-making. Partners use DTM data for numerous outcomes -including but not limited to- use for planning, advocacy, operational decision-making, planning and operational response, monitor to access to services, and monitor risk in locaitons.
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How does DTM share data and reports?
DTM distinguishes three types of data and shares them in three different ways, depending on the sensitivity and potential urgency of use of the data
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How can DTM facilitate accurate partners analysis?
In order to correctly analyse and use DTM results, Partners need to fully understand the methodology and have metadata included in the datasets. -
How can I enhance the use of DTM data?
Field experience consistently highlights the effectiveness of targeted presentations of results by DTM to Inter-Cluster/Sector or Sectoral/Cluster Groups. -
Different levels of analysis are the responsibility of different actors. The specific details of who will conduct what part of descriptive analysis must be agreed upon at country level, before the data is collected.
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Cooperation takes time. How do we engage efficiently in emergencies?
DTM team is not composed of subject-matter experts. They do not know what information partners need. On the other hand, Partners should know what information they need and for what concrete use. Engaging and cooperating to collect useful and usable data is essential. -
How can DTM and Partners cooperate? How can DTM collect the data needed by partners?
DTM coordinator and Partners have the joint responsibility to cooperate to obtain useful and usable data. Using a predictable and commonly agreed process helps field colleagues minimize time and optimize results in cooperation. -
How can partners help DTM collect usable data?
If DTM does not collect the data in a format that Partners can use (e.g. age break down, phrasing, reply options…), partners are requested to provide such feedback to DTM and explain to DTM exactly what they need. -
How to move from competition to complementarity?
DTM and other data collection systems can be used to complement each other to provide different types of needed information to decision-makers. -
How to overcome conflicts over population figures?
There are no perfect figures, and nobody has the perfect figures. Coordination and collaboration can ensure addressing data challenges and limitations. -
What are the basis for DTM and Partners Cooperation?
Cooperation between DTM and Partners is shared responsibility that starts from the planning phase. DTM and Partners should cooperate in ensuring data are useful land usable for humanitarian response -
What are the roles of DTM and Partners in cooperation?
The main steps of the Assessment Process are common to most humanitarian organizations and groups/clusters. Cooperation is especially needed at specific steps of Assessment Process. -
When should DTM and Partners cooperate?
DTM and Partners should engage and cooperate from the planning phase of a DTM data collection exercise. When this is not possible, due for example to time pressure to provide initial data, DTM and Partners should start engaging as soon as they can. -
DTM Partners are DTM Data Users and Humanitarian Responders. “Partner” is intended as any organization, group or institution that uses DTM data for humanitarian response
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Why is DTM and Partners cooperation essential?
Cooperation between Data users and Producers is essential to Evidence-Based Decision-Making along a predictable process for data collection and analysis that supports humanitarian decision-making. Cooperation is essential, as DTM and partners bring different skillsets to the joint process of evidence-based decision-making. -
How can DTM & Partners plan for data sharing?
Partners and DTM should agree on modalities, times and frequency of data sharing already in the planning phase. -
How to collect and share Data for Urgent Action
DTM should develop a Process for Urgent Action. This is planned in case Partners need specific datasets urgently prior to data is being analysed by DTM. -
How can we Do No Harm when collecting, storing, sharing and analysing data?
The DTM team conducts an initial overall Risk Assessment of the exercise and decides implementation according to findings. -
What is the DTM Field Companion and How to Use it?
The DTM Field Companion is the list of common information needs identified with global Clusters, WGs, and other sectoral experts. A suggested phrasing of questions and reply options for each information need was also developed specifically for Key Informants Interviews. These questions are included in the DTM Data Dictionary. -
DTM is not giving me what I need. How can we jointly revise DTM?
Revising existing DTM data collection tools is sometimes needed, as information availability and needs of data users change over time. -
How can DTM and Partners get in touch?
DTM data are used by large number of partners. Cooperation only works when it is a shared responsibility, DTM should endeavour to engage Partners from the start, as much as Partners should do the same. -
What are my information Needs?
it is important that the information needs and planned use of the information are clearly articulated by those decision-makers and shared with both those who will help develop data-collection tools and those who will analyse the resulting data. Information Needs are NOT the actual questions, it is what is needed to know in order to make strategic, programmatic and operational decision. -
Where do DTM data fit in my analysis?
Partners can identify information needs and be part of the design of Data Collection Tools for DTM , so to obtain the data they need, and monitor changes in the situation over time. -
How do Partners provide feedback and how does DTM use feedback?
Collecting feedback from users is vital to keep DTM results relevant over time and is an important step of a DTM Commonly used Process. Various options are available to facilitate the agreement between DTM and Data Users on modalities for collecting feedback.
Analysis
Cooperation Process
Data Sharing
Developing Data Collection Tools
Engaging in cooperation
Feedback
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Global experts from DTM, and the Global CASH WG jointly identified common Information needs for CASH data, that DTM methodologies can provide, and developed short guidance for DTM and CASH colleagues in the field.
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Starting from common information needs, DTM developed Questions and Analysis Plans of those questions. They are called Field Companions. Field Companion for Food Security is available online.
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Starting from common information needs, DTM and Global Experts developed Questions and Analysis Plans of those questions. They are called Field Companions. Field Companion for Nutrition is available online.
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Global WASH Cluster and DTM identified common Information needs that the WASH colleagues in countries may have and developed suggested questions and options for reply for each information need, that are appropriate to the DTM MSLA methodology. These are accompanied by descriptive analysis, and possible use of data and available in the DTM Field Companion for WASH.
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DTM data for Inter-Sectoral analysis
DTM has contributes to Inter-Agency analysis in various ways, for example: sharing datasets on population and Sex and Age Disaggregated Data, providing multi-sectoral information on needs, resources and infrastructure at location level, and providing population reference frame. -
DTM data for Sectoral Severity and Priority Analysis
DTM data are usually analysed by partners together with data from other sources and complementary datasets. In some cases, however, partners could decide to use DTM data for Severity Analysis. This may be the case in extremely data-poor contexts. -
DTM for CCCM (and Settlement typology)
Global CCCM Cluster and DTM identified common Information needs that the CCCM clusters in countries may have and developed suggested questions and options for reply for each information need, that are appropriate to the DTM MSLA methodology. -
Global Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AOR) and DTM identified common Information needs for CP that DTM methodologies can provide, and developed short guidance, E-learning and video for DTM and CP colleagues in the field.
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DTM for Counter Trafficking in Emergencies
DTM and MPA worked on a series of narrated presentations on how to use DTM and IM for Counter Trafficking in Emergencies, for Child Protection and for GBV, in addition to how to Mainstream Protection in DTM and IM activities. -
Global experts from IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, HI and other partners and DTM jointly identified common Information needs for disability inclusion data, that are appropriate to the DTM methodology, focusing on barriers faced by Persons with Disabilities in accessing basic goods and services.
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Global experts from DTM, and the Global Education Cluster jointly identified common Information needs for Education data, that DTM methodologies can provide, and developed short guidance to help DTM and Education colleagues in the field.
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IOM Energy Experts consulted with some of the leading Global Cluster teams and Working Groups on the most important energy data needs and gaps in displacement settings. Together with DTM, they identified common Information Needs across the different clusters/sectors and developed suggested questions and answers that are consistent with the DTM MSLA methodology.
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Global experts from DTM and the Global GBV Area of Responsibility jointly identified common Information needs for GBV data, that DTM methodologies can safely provide, and developed short guidance, video, E-Learning and Training for DTM and GBV colleagues in the field.
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Global experts from DTM, and the Global Health Cluster jointly identified common Information needs for Health data, that DTM methodologies can provide, and developed short guidance for DTM and Health colleagues in the field.
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Global experts from DTM and Clear Global/Translators Without Borders jointly identified common Information needs for language data, that DTM methodologies can provide, and recorded a webinar to help DTM and other colleagues in the field identify and collect the information they need to communicate with affected people. Country-specific information on languages and recommended questions for various methods of data collection are available on the Clear Global site.
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Global experts from DTM, and the Global Mine Action AoR jointly identified common Information needs for Mine Action data, that DTM methodologies can provide, and developed short guidance for DTM and Mine Action colleagues in the field.
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DTM for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Starting from common information needs, DTM and Global Partners developed Questions and Analysis Plans of those questions. They are called Field Companions and are available for most sectors. Field Companion for PSEA is available here. -
Global Protection Cluster (GPC) and DTM identified common Information needs that the Protection cluster colleagues in countries may have and developed suggested questions and options for reply for each information need, that are appropriate to the DTM MSLA methodology.
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DTM for Shelter and NFIs (and Site typology)
Global Shelter & NFIs Cluster and DTM identified common Information needs that the Shelter and NFIs clusters /sectors in countries may have and developed suggested questions and options for reply for each information need, that are appropriate to the DTM MSLA methodology. These are accompanied by descriptive analysis, and possible use of data and available in the DTM Field Companion for Shelter and NFIs. -
How can Partners help DTM use the correct sectoral definitions and obtain reliable data?
Partners can support DTM ensure accuracy and common agreement on sectoral definition used in the exercise and analysis -
IM and DTM for Accountability to Affected Population
Starting from common information needs, DTM and Global Partners developed Questions and Analysis Plans of those questions. They are called Field Companions. Field Companion for AAP is available online.