EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

This month, I attended a training with the United Nations in the area of ‘early recovery’. Among other things, it was a flashback my past before having a family, when I was based and worked overseas.  This course was led by the UN Development Program, and I was impressed by the 25+ who attended, from various backgrounds but all with extensive aid experience. I was humbled at my lack of knowledge, and learned a lot.

The UN has been much maligned about its impact overseas in crises, but then all agencies seem to be. It’s a no-win situation. A country blows up, and the humanitarian agencies try to assist. But the dynamics of entering into a country is difficult, even in the best of times. Media thrusts the public to cry out, “Do something!” A lot could be done, but sometimes not much is done. Or it is done slowly. Or it’s done wrong, or there are some abuses.  Or what really matters is slow methodical activities behind the scenes – but they are non-glamorous and non-newsworthy. This is “early recovery.”

My interest in the week of training was because “early recovery” is an idea that must be embraced, a concept that must be emphasized. It basically means that from Day 1 of the response to a disaster, when giving “relief” aid, there should be a mindset of ‘recovery’….at least back to the pre-disaster level in the community.  It is far from development…or developing the country…but it is the beginning, and why the UNDP is the champion of ‘early recovery’.

I am as well. In relief programs, a disproportionate amount of funding and effort is expended. Again, we go back to the early media coverage. Several weeks later, after the cameras have moved on, the public may assume that all is well. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is where often both relief continues ‘development programs’ should kick in, and be well-funded.  I firmly believe that it’s money well spent. For this same reason, early recovery programs should be a priority. If they can fall under ‘relief mode’ for agencies, so be it.

Early recovery should be a mindset in any activity that is undertaken. It helps highlight the ‘exit strategy’ that agencies should consider. Too many relief programs go on, and on, and on, and on. Some are justified, but many are not. “Early recovery” gets the directors of relief programs to do a shift of their thinking.

I appreciated being asked to participate in the UNDP course. It helped hone both my hard and soft skills of dealing with those in various other agencies — some with firm agendas and large egos. But most importantly, not to forget those affected by the disaster, whether a hurricane, a flood, or civil conflict. It is the people who matter the most. Not the aid worker, not the agency, not the program title. Keep people in the middle of the decision-making. In fact, allow the people to help make the decisions. After all, why else are we there?

Thanks for reading.