5WH SITUATION ANALYSIS TEMPLATE
Instructions: Complete all 6 sections based on your assigned scenario. Be as specific as possible. Include both facts and assumptions (label assumptions clearly).
SCENARIO ASSIGNED: _______________________________
YOUR NAME: _______________________________
DATE: _______________________________
SECTION 1: WHAT? — Nature of the Health Risk/Emergency
Describe the health risk/emergency in specific terms:
What exactly is happening?
What type of event (outbreak, disaster, environmental hazard)?
What are the specific characteristics?
What I KNOW (facts):
What I DON’T KNOW (information gaps):
Assumptions I’m making:
SECTION 2: WHERE? — Geographic Scope
Describe the geographic scope:
Which division(s)?
Which specific areas/parishes/zones?
Are some areas more affected than others?
What are the boundaries of the affected area?
Mapping notes (describe what a map would show):
SECTION 3: WHEN? — Timing and Duration
Describe the timing:
When did it start?
How long has it lasted?
Is it ongoing, worsening, or improving?
Is there a seasonal pattern?
Was this predictable?
Timeline:
| Date/Period | What Happened |
SECTION 4: WHO? — Affected Populations
Describe the affected populations:
How many people affected?
What are their demographic characteristics (age, gender, occupation)?
Who is MOST vulnerable? Why?
Vulnerability analysis:
| Vulnerable Group | Why Vulnerable | Estimated Number |
SECTION 5: WHY? — Root Causes
Analyze the causes:
What is the proximate (immediate) cause?
What are the contributing factors?
What are the structural/underlying causes?
Cause chain:
Structural cause → Contributing factor → Proximate cause → Event
SECTION 6: HOW? — Response Capacity and Gaps
Describe current response:
Who is currently responding?
What resources are available?
What is working well?
Identify gaps:
What resources are missing?
What coordination challenges exist?
What RCCE gaps exist?
RCCE IMPLICATIONS
Based on your 5WH analysis, what are the key implications for RCCE?
| 5WH Element | RCCE Implication |
| WHAT | |
| WHERE | |
| WHEN | |
| WHO | |
| WHY | |
| HOW |