Rapid assessment and response (RAR) is a means for delineating the extent and nature of social and health problems. An immediate response to the identified needs is an integral part of the assessment. Rapid situationĀ assessment is the application of RAM to specific problems in specific locations. Needs assessment is the systematic appraisal of the type, depth and scope of a problem. Resource assessment is the systematic appraisalĀ of the response (funds, people, buildings, knowledge) that are either available or required to ameliorate the problem.