Natural disaster management

Facts Background Australia's response The global agenda   Facts The second Wednesday in October is International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction which focuses on the urgent need for prevention activities to reduce loss of life, damage to property, infrastructure and environment, and the social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters. In 2002 there were more disasters reported than in any of the preceding ten years. Fortunately, 2002's disasters appeared less deadly than before, 24,500 people were reported killed, compared to the decade's average of 62,000 per year, but 608 million people were affected, three times the annual average from 1992-2001. Disasters affect the world's poorest the hardest. Of the 24,500 people killed in 2002, just 6% lived in countries of high human development. Weather-related disasters rose, from an annual average of 200 between 1993-1997, to 331 per year between 1998-2002. Between 1993-2002 famine was by far the deadliest disaster, killing at least 275,000 people (nearly half of all reported fatalities), although this is probably a gross underestimate. Floods affected more people across the globe (140 million per year on average) than all other natural or technological disasters put together. Some 75% of the world's population live in areas affected at least once by earthquake, tropical cyclone, flood or drought between 1980 and 2000.   Background At regular but unpredictable intervals, people around the world are affected by natural hazards. They may be caused by climate (drought, flood, cyclone) or geology (earthquake, volcano, tidal wave, landslide) or the environment (pollution, deforestation, desertification, pest infestation) or combinations of these. The entire Pacific Ocean is circled by the so-called "Ring of Fire", a collection of volcanoes and earthquake fault lines, which is why countries in the Asia Pacific region experience more natural hazards than countries located in other parts of the world. These hazards become disasters when people's homes and livelihoods are destroyed. Poverty, population pressures and environmental degradation mean increasing numbers of people are vulnerable to natural hazards. Disaster management Disaster management is a complex series of activities which include risk assessment, prevention measures, preparedness to cope with future disasters, emergency response to a disaster, recovery and rehabilitation. An emphasis on good development and community preparedness can reduce the impact of disasters especially for the most vulnerable people living in hazard prone areas with few financial resources to help them recover, no savings and having lost their means of livelihood. Emergency Response Each disaster has unique circumstances and the response needs to be tailored to meet the specifics of the situation but the general areas requiring response include: Search and rescue - finding those who may be trapped by building collapse Assessment of needs - working out what is required, in what quantities, and for whom Health - provision of medical care and preventing the spread of disease through immunisation, provision of safe water and food, waste disposal and burial of the dead Basic needs - procuring and distributing food, shelter and clothing Gender - understanding the roles of men and women in families and communities to identify needs and ensure fair distribution of resources Livelihood and economy - assisting people to earn a living to help them recover Emotional support - counselling and reuniting separated families Logistics - transportation of people and equipment Finance - obtaining, allocating and accounting for money Communication - media coverage, information for families, fundraising Infrastructure - rebuilding roads, electricity, telephones, water pipelines, waste disposal systems Few countries would have all the resources necessary to meet the demands of a large scale disaster but the survivors and people living in the area do much before international assistance arrives. The emergency response needs to be coordinated for the survival of the maximum possible number of victims. Some of the issues to be considered in the response are: respecting local knowledge while using international best practice; meeting survival needs with cultural appropriate response (eg. types of food, clothing, shelter); limiting the effects of aid on the local economy and capacity building; prioritising the distribution of limited supplies; and gaining funding for long term development and disaster preparedness rather than just responding to emergency situations. In the chaos of a disaster with the pressure of making quick decisions, balancing the specific interests of victims, governments, NGOs and donors may mean best practice standards are not always achieved. Disaster recovery After the immediate danger is over, families need assistance to rebuild their lives and their livelihoods. Communities need to rebuild their social and physical infrastructure and the economy needs revitalisation. It takes time and money to plan and ensure long development and future disaster preparedness are appropriate for everyone. Damaged structures and services may not necessarily be restored in their previous locations or forms as the disruptions can be an opportunity to make improvements. Seasonal factors must be considered: the planting season will affect when seeds need to be distributed and the onset of cold weather will affect the style of shelters provided. Disaster preparedness Much can be done to prepare for future disasters by: Modifying or removing the causes of the hazard - for example by building houses away from hazard prone areas, building levy banks in flood prone areas, using improved stoves to avoid the spread of fire etc Reducing the effects of the hazard if it occurs - for example by building houses to standards which will protect people during a hazard, developing early warning systems which can function without power systems, developing response plans, clear definition of roles and training of emergency service personnel, collection and storage of resources and equipment to respond quickly, public education and rehearsal (eg evacuation drill). Development Rebuilding after a disaster provides significant opportunities for improved development: response and recovery planning to prepare for future hazards upgrading infrastructure, roads, communication, water and sanitation systems, to withstand disasters and assist response building hazard resistant public buildings and housing to reduce the impact of local hazards developing skills of local personnel to increase their capacity to respond in an emergency poverty alleviation to reduce vulnerability of those with limited livelihoods structural change, land reform, expansion and modernisation of the economic base, may be more possible as people are more open to change Care must be taken that improvements do not increase an area's susceptibility to disasters. Environmental factors need to be considered when developing job opportunities so that the people attracted do not live in hazard-prone areas such as floodplains or unstable hillsides or that too many livestock lead to overgrazing and desertification. International responses Code of Conduct In 1994 concern about standards prompted the development of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and seven NGOs to develop the 'Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief'. By March 2004 there were 289 signatories. The Code of Conduct contains the following Principles: The Humanitarian imperative comes first. Aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone. Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint. We shall endeavour not to act as instruments of government foreign policy. We shall respect culture and custom. We shall attempt to build disaster response in local capacities. Ways shall be found to involve programme beneficiaries in the management of relief aid. Relief aid must strive to reduce future vulnerabilities to disaster as well as meeting basic needs. We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to assist and those from whom we accept resources. In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall recognise disaster victims as dignified human beings, not hopeless objects. Ethics of Aid The Red Cross World Disaster Report 2003 identified several major concerns about the international response to disasters. The selectivity of emergency aid means that politically sensitive events have received greater and quicker responses than less politically strategic areas. Within weeks of the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, US $ 1.7 billion had been raised in relief for Iraq, while less than half that had been pledged for 40 million people experiencing starvation in Africa. Research suggests that humanitarian organisations base their funding requests on what they think the donor 'market' will bear rather than evidence of objective need. The quick fix, highly visible emergency responses which capture media attention and can be quickly tabulated tend to be funded and reported rather than long-term development projects of recovery, rehabilitation, preparedness and improved health. Despite the Afghan government asking for funds for national reconstruction and long-term development international communities, money had been donated for food aid. Unless care is taken the international response can overwhelm local capacities and undermine the economy. Our individual responses Money is the best way to help. The most useful form of assistance during a humanitarian crisis is the donation of money to non-government overseas aid organisations. This is because such organisations: have qualified people already working in the affected country who understand the needs of the emergency situation, understand the peoples' cultures, and know the local languages. have strong local networks so they know where to buy the emergency relief goods at the best possible price and with the least long-term negative impact to the affected country and can manage timely and cost-effective transportation have controls in place to check that as much money as possible is spent on the goods or services for the people in need. What not to give: Items such as food, clothing, blankets, medicines and toys can cause problems for relief authorities. The costs of sorting, storing, packing, labelling (in English and in the recipient country's language) then transporting these items may be higher than the cost of buying it in the country of need or from a nearby country. Sometimes, the donations may also be inappropriate to the culture of the people. Australia's response Emergency response When there is a natural disaster, AusAID responds to official requests for assistance as part of the international community which includes other Australian Government agencies, United Nations, Australian and international NGOs, the Red Cross and representatives from France and New Zealand, with whom AusAID cooperates to respond to disasters that occur in the Pacific. AusAID can only respond when it receives an official request for assistance from the national government of the country affected by the disaster. Its response depends on the particular circumstances of the emergency including the assistance requested and Australia's resources. It may send trained personnel, supplies of medicine, shelter and water containers and purification tablets, and/or money to pay for supplies and assist in rebuilding. AusAID may also utilise non-government organisations which provide information, staff and other assistance for the response. AusAID would continue to monitor events and consult with key stakeholders throughout the emergency and into the recovery and rehabilitation phases. Disaster Preparedness Australia helps governments and communities in the Asia Pacific region develop and maintain their own capacity to improve preparedness, reduce risks and respond effectively to emergencies within their communities. Food Aid Australia provides approximately 250,000 tonnes of food aid every year (about $80 million) to people in crisis. Rehabilitation and Development The Australian government supports rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in areas that have been struck by disaster. Partnerships The Australian government has links with key international organisations to increase the effectiveness of its response. These include: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, World Food Programme, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation, International Federation of the Red Cross, Australian Red Cross, Care Australia, World Vision Australia, Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad and other Australian NGO members of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). See http://www.ausaid.gov.au/human/emergencies.cfm and http://www.ausaid.gov.au/hottopics/archive.cfm for reports on how Australia has provided humanitarian assistance for its neighbours in recent natural disasters. The global agenda

International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) URL:  http://www.unisdr.org/ The continued rise in frequency, severity and cost of disasters facing societies meant that at the conclusion of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (1990-2000)further efforts were necessary to reduce the loss of life, property damage, and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters. The ISDR aims at building disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters. ProVention Consortium URL:  http://www.proventionconsortium.org/ The ProVention Consortium is a global coalition of governments, international Non-Government Organisations, academic institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations dedicated to increasing the safety of vulnerable communities and to reducing the impact of disasters in developing countries. Organised by the World Bank, the Consortium and its website aims to advance disaster risk management in developing countries through forging partnerships and linkages, advocating amongst policy makers, demonstrating innovative approaches to the practice of risk management, and sharing knowledge and resources. Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response URL:  http://www.sphereproject.org/ The Sphere Project was launched in 1997 by the Red Cross and a group of humanitarian NGOs to address concerns about the delivery of humanitarian aid in times of crisis. The guidelines developed to address this concern are based on two core beliefs: first, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of calamity and conflict, and second, that those affected by disaster have a right to life with dignity and therefore a right to assistance. It outlines minimum standards for the key aid delivery areas.

Collapsed sea wall and stripped palm trees, Anuta, Solomon Islands, caused by a cyclone In Tikopia, Solomon Islands, large processions of people helped carry emergency supplies of rice and other supplies across the coral at low tide after a cyclone hit the area Australian funded rice, seeds, tools, tarpaulins and blankets in the CARE warehouse in Dili, East Timor, before distribution to families affected by the civil unrest around Dili Records are kept of emergency aid distributed to people in the remote village of Alieu, East Timor On the main road from Aitape, PNG, a bulldozer sank in the mud. Inadequate roads caused problems for the rebuilding after the tsunami A Community Aid Abroad water tank was dropped into Rainbrum, PNG, by helicopter to provide safe water after the tsunami Disasters affect the world's poorest the hardest