This SSHAP Practical Approaches brief provides guidance on undertaking rapid anthropological assessments in the context of an epidemic. During an epidemic, rapid anthropological assessments are used to collect data with and from affected populations and public health officials to (a) understand key social, cultural, political, and economic dynamics; (b) identify relevant authorities and trusted leaders for message dissemination; (c) gather communities’ understanding of the disease and health decision-making processes; and (d) inform appropriate and effective response efforts.
Briefing
Tools
Rapid anthropological assessments in the field
Topics
Health![On 10 April 2020, Turusew Getahun, a social worker, works to identify, profile and register unaccompanied children and youths at the Civil Service University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The centre is being used to quarantine returnees to the country, amidst concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Many of the returnees had sought work in Saudi Arabia, were victims of human trafficking along the way, and were subject to captivity and deportation upon reaching Saudi Arabia.
All unaccompanied minors are classified as vulnerable migrants, which is the social workers, in addition to profiling and registering them, identify their needs, look for signs of abuse requiring follow-up services, and obtain information about their families. The latter information is important for initiating a detailed assessment, family tracing, and reunification. In cases where a reunification with the family is not possible, alternative care arrangements are explored in cooperation with social workers or community service workers in their places of origin. Turusew says she looks forward to reuniting the children with their families when the quarantine is over. In the meantime, she wants them to be protected from COVID-19 during their quarantine. “Although information [about COVID-19] is being given to all returnees, children require specific support and child-focused messaging to help them understand how to protect themselves from the virus,” she says.
As of 14 April 2020, Ethiopia has reported 82 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 3 deaths. In recent weeks the country has seen a surge of returnees to the country, due to the global situation. All returnees are now being placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine. The sudden surge in returnees is straining local capacities, especially the health system. Some 2,780 returnees have been registered and quarantined at various centers the government has set up in Addis Ababa. An additional 300 returnees per day are expected in the comi UNICEF/Tesfaye](https://www.socialscienceinaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/UNI320537_Nahom-tesfaye-1024x683.jpg)
On 10 April 2020, Turusew Getahun, a social worker, works to identify, profile and register unaccompanied children and youths at the Civil Service University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The centre is being used to quarantine returnees to the country, amidst concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Many of the returnees had sought work in Saudi Arabia, were victims of human trafficking along the way, and were subject to captivity and deportation upon reaching Saudi Arabia.
All unaccompanied minors are classified as vulnerable migrants, which is the social workers, in addition to profiling and registering them, identify their needs, look for signs of abuse requiring follow-up services, and obtain information about their families. The latter information is important for initiating a detailed assessment, family tracing, and reunification. In cases where a reunification with the family is not possible, alternative care arrangements are explored in cooperation with social workers or community service workers in their places of origin. Turusew says she looks forward to reuniting the children with their families when the quarantine is over. In the meantime, she wants them to be protected from COVID-19 during their quarantine. “Although information [about COVID-19] is being given to all returnees, children require specific support and child-focused messaging to help them understand how to protect themselves from the virus,” she says.
As of 14 April 2020, Ethiopia has reported 82 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 3 deaths. In recent weeks the country has seen a surge of returnees to the country, due to the global situation. All returnees are now being placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine. The sudden surge in returnees is straining local capacities, especially the health system. Some 2,780 returnees have been registered and quarantined at various centers the government has set up in Addis Ababa. An additional 300 returnees per day are expected in the comi
Related content
Evidence review
Rapid evidence synthesis: Mpox community protection
This note presents a rapid synthesis of evidence related to community protection in countries affected by the mpox clade 1b outbreak. Synthesising evidence related to community protection for mpox Medline, Africa Journals Online and Global Index Medicus were searched. IFRC,…
SSHAP
2025
Report
Meeting report: The impact of global aid funding cuts on people and programmes in South Sudan
Report of a roundtable with government actors, academics, development partners and journalists in South Sudan on the sweeping impacts on people and programmes of aid cuts and multiple, intersecting crises.
Central and East Africa Hub
SSHAP
2025
Briefing
Key considerations: Home-based care for mpox in Central and East Africa
This brief outlines key considerations on health system requirements for safe and inclusive home-based care for mpox.
Central and East Africa Hub
SSHAP
2025
Question Bank
Tools
Questions bank for healthcare workers during infectious disease outbreaks
This question bank is a menu of qualitative questions related to healthcare workers’ knowledge, perceptions and practices during infectious disease outbreaks.
SSHAP
2025