The Framework is intended to assist States and humanitarian agencies to assess existing protection capacities and identify protection gaps. It is designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the situation of internally displaced persons and other affected populations, which should then form a blueprint for operational planning. The Framework is composed of two parts. The first contains a framework for analysis, guiding the user through areas that need to be assessed, while the second provides general guidance on participatory methodologies, aimed at facilitating dialogue and gathering of information from individuals and communities.
The Framework, which is the result of a joint effort between the Protection Cluster Working Group and the Early Recovery Cluster Working Group, has benefited from input form a wide range of human rights, humanitarian and development organizations, including both UN agencies and NGOs.
The Framework will be field-tested in 2008 and a revised version is scheduled for publication in early 2009. Any comments and suggestions are welcome and can be shared with us at HQIDPHB@unhcr.org.