title: Surveillance beyond camp settings in humanitarian emergencies: findings from the Humanitarian Health Information Management Working Group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surveillance is an essential component of health and nutrition information management during humanitarian situations. Changes in the nature and scope of humanitarian assistance activities have created new challenges in health surveillance, particularly outside of camp-based settings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of the Humanitarian Health Information Management Working Group was to identify challenges and areas that need further elucidation in a range of non-camp settings, including urban and rural as well as low- and middle-income countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three major themes emerged: (1) standardization of measures and methodologies; (2) context in data collection and management; and (3) hidden populations and the purpose of surveillance in urban settings. Innovative examples of data collection and management in community-based surveillance were discussed, including task-shifting, health worker to community member ratio, and literacy needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surveillance in non-camp settings can be informed by surveillance activities in camp-based settings, but requires additional consideration of new methods and population needs to achieve its objectives.
authors.affiliation: International Rescue Committee, USA. susan.purdin@theIRC.org
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Purdin
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spiegel
authors.forename: Katelyn P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Millen
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D003625:Data Collection; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D014857:Warfare