Somalia Shelter Cluster promotes humanitarian response that is evidence based. Before assistance is planned, at least one needs assessment is conducted among the affected population. The assessments can be conducted by one organization, or through joint efforts of more than one organization, or by an individual cluster, or Multi-clustural. The assessment may focus on a single sector, or intersectoral.

The Somalia Shelter Cluster has designed an Assessment Framework. The common assessment framework is divided into five sections namely Data Collection Methods, Sampling Methods, Assessment Questionnaire, Assessment Reporting Template and Indicators and Datasets. The Common Assessment Framework specifically indicators and questionnaire should be used for cluster specific as well as for shelter cluster part of the interagency assessments.