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Burma: Donor States Must Monitor Aid  new

Human Rights Watch says countries delivering relief aid to Burma should insist on monitoring to ensure aid reaches the cyclone victims most in need and to prevent the military government from seizing it. Simply dropping aid off at Rangoon airport under the control of the abusive and ill-equipped Burmese military will not necessarily help victims of the cyclone.

http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/14/burma18832.htm

(Added: Thu May 15 2008   Hits: 1)

South Asia Earthquake 2005: Lessons Learned

In response to the South Asian Earthquake, ALNAP and the ProVention Consortium have collaborated to produce two briefing papers aimed at informing operational decision-makers and relief/recovery programme managers in the South Asia earthquake operation working on recovery policies and strategies. Learning from Previous Recovery Operations (December 2005): This second briefing provides a synthesis of key lessons from post-disaster recovery programmes. The briefing covers targeting, participation, assessment, shelter and housing, risk reduction and policy, and attempts to draw out main lessons in each area, while highlighting critical sources for further reference. It is also planned to release an Urdu translation of this paper. Learning from Previous Earthquakes (September 2005): This first briefing paper provides a synthesis of key lessons learned from relief responses to past earthquakes. The current South Asian earthquake presents unique challenges, particularly of scale and logistics, but there are generic lessons to be learned from previous earthquakes, particularly those in Afghanistan in 1998, Turkey in 1999, Gujarat in 2001 and Bam in 2003. This paper aims to provide a distillation of this learning.

http://www.alnap.org/lessons_earthquake.htm

(Added: Mon Dec 19 2005   Modified: Fri Jul 14 2006   Hits: 258)

The ProVention Consortium

The goal of ProVention is to support developing countries reduce the risk and social, economic and environmental impact of natural and technological disasters on the poor. The ProVention Consortium is a global coalition of governments, international 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. ProVention functions as a consortium to share knowledge and resources on disaster risk management. It acts as a broker to forge links and partnerships between members of the Consortium so that efforts, and benefits, are shared. Through collaboration and concurrent action ProVention produces pioneering solutions to the challenges of disaster risk management in developing countries.

http://www.proventionconsortium.org

(Added: Tue Jul 08 2003   Modified: Fri Jul 14 2006   Hits: 348)

According to need? Needs assessment and decision-making in the humanitarian sector (PDF)

Researched, written and published by the Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI. By James Darcy and Charles-Antoine Hofmann, September 2003. This report records the results of a year-long study on the link between needs assessment and decision-making in the humanitarian sector. The focus of the study has been on the international humanitarian system, understood here to comprise governmental and multilateral donors, UN humanitarian agencies, the agencies of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and international NGOs. The report attempts to highlight the issues believed to be most important in this field, and to indicate ways in which they might be addressed. In that sense, it seeks to map out an agenda rather than provide a set of detailed prescriptions.

http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/papers/hpgreport15.pdf

(Added: Tue Sep 02 2003   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 263)

After the cyclone: lessons from a disaster [pdf]

Late in the evening of 15 November 2007, Cyclone Sidr struck Mahmouda's home and thousands of other villages across Bangladesh's southern coastal areas, leaving around 4000 people dead and millions homeless. The initial response to the disaster was prompt and vigorous, but three months after the disaster the affected communities' needs - particularly in terms of housing and livelihoods - remain staggering (Oxfam, 15 February 2008).

http://publications.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam/display.asp?K=e2008021909545233

(Added: Thu May 01 2008   Hits: 21)

Aid and Trade Workshop Reports

This webpage contains the workshop reports from the Aid and Trade Event held in January 2008. Topics include Partnering for Relief, Pre-disaster Recovery Planning, Shelter Recovery Coordination and Transporting Relief.

http://www.aidandtrade.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=350&Itemid=71&sub=1

(Added: Fri Apr 04 2008   Hits: 44)

Aid workers killed in Darfur

Save the Children New Zealand, 14 December 2004. Two Save the Children staff were brutally killed yesterday in South Darfur, Sudan. Abhakar el Tayeb, a Medical Assistant, and mechanic Yacoub Abdelnabi Ahmed were travelling in a convoy of clearly marked humanitarian vehicles when they came under fire on the main road between Mershing and Duma. Save the Children operates a feeding centre and medical clinics in the area. Our humanitarian operations in South Darfur are currently suspended while we review the situation. An African Union investigation is underway.

http://www.savethechildren.org.nz/new_zealand/newsroom/tragedy_sudan.html

(Added: Wed Dec 15 2004   Modified: Wed Dec 07 2005   Hits: 157)

Cash-based responses in emergencies

This paper is the final product of a three-year research project looking into when the option of giving people money instead of, or as well as, in-kind assistance is feasible and appropriate. A strong body of evidence is starting to emerge to indicate that providing people with cash or vouchers works. It is possible to target and distribute cash safely, and people spend money sensibly on basic essentials and on rebuilding livelihoods. What is more, cash transfers can provide a stimulus to local economies, and in some contexts can be more cost-effective than commodity-based alternatives (Paul Harvey, Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute, Feb 2007).

http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/papers/hpgreport24.pdf

(Added: Thu May 31 2007   Hits: 162)

Center for International Disaster Information

Since 1988 VITA's Center for International Disaster information has handled hundreds of thousands of public inquiries related to international emergencies. The Center, operated under a grant from the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and initial support from IBM, has become a valuable resource to the public, as well as US government agencies, foreign embassies and international corporations.

http://www.cidi.org/

(Added: Fri Mar 08 2002   Modified: Fri Jul 14 2006   Hits: 553)

Civil-Military Relationship in Complex Emergencies - An IASC Reference Paper (pdf)

(ReliefWeb) 28 June 2004. This paper has thus been prepared, with the overall goal of enhancing the understanding of civil- military relations, including the difficulties and limitations of such relations. While numerous complicated questions arise out of this relationship, what remains vital for the humanitarian community is to develop a clear awareness of the nature of this relation, as well as a common understanding on when and how as well as how not to coordinate with the military in fulfilling humanitarian objectives.

http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2004/ocha-civmil-28jun.pdf

(Added: Thu Aug 26 2004   Modified: Fri Jul 14 2006   Hits: 474)

Disaster Management Ethics (PDF)

UNDP Disaster Management Training Programme, 1997. Module edited by: Eva Jenson, InterWorks. The Disaster Management Ethics module addresses some of the ethical issues and dilemmas faced by the humanitarian assistance community as it seeks to respond to human need in the context of natural and human-caused disasters. The format simulates a discussion which aims to foster conversation and interaction. It brings together the voices of fifteen practitioners and scholars to discuss five ethical issues in humanitarian assistance. While no collection of papers can adequately present a truly global perspective, it is hoped that the differences and conflicts in values and questions presented here hold promise for new understanding.

http://www.crid.or.cr/crid/PDF/Docs.%20PDF/M%C3%B3dulos%20DMTP/Ethics_DMTP.pdf

(Added: Thu Aug 28 2003   Modified: Fri Jul 14 2006   Hits: 601)

Emergalert - A clearer road ahead for emergency vehicles

Emergalert presents police, ambulance and fire brigades the newest emergency vehicle warning technology to add to siren today for a clearer road ahead for emergency vehicles when every second counts.

http://www.emergalert.com.au

(Added: Thu Sep 09 2004   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 187)

European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO)

The European Union is one of the world's main humanitarian aid donors; the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) is the service of the European Commission responsible for this activity.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index_en.htm

(Added: Mon Aug 18 2003   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 179)

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding International Disaster Relief

The Center for International Disaster Information (US) provides answers to a number of FAQs about providing assistance following a disaster.

http://www.cidi.org/media/faq.htm

(Added: Mon Jan 10 2005   Modified: Wed Oct 25 2006   Hits: 305)

Global Hand

We live in a dysfunctional world: one that allows massive waste and need. We have excessive product, on one hand, and excessive need on the other. Global Hand wants to change that. Our goal is to link people who have available goods, non-profit organisations who need goods, and those who can transport them. Every day, goods are thrown away in one part of the world that could ease suffering in another. Global Hand is a network being set up in response. Global Hand's goal is to be a one-stop-shop for all parties involved in the movement of goods needed for humanitarian purposes. We are a network which aims to help all in the gifts-in-kind (GIK) arena find one another.

http://www.globalhand.org/

(Added: Tue Jan 06 2004   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 347)

Guide to Cash-for-Work Programming

In this document, Mercy Corps examines the process of cash-for-work (CfW) implementation and provides a general methodology that can be adapted to the many different countries and contexts in which they work. Based on their own experience implementing cash-for-work programs, Mercy Corps' Guide to Cash-for-Work Programming addresses the rationale of cash-for-work and describes when the use of the methodology is most appropriate (Mercy Corps, 2007).

http://www.mercycorps.org/files/file1179375619.pdf

(Added: Thu May 31 2007   Hits: 159)

Health Development versus Medical Relief: The Illusion versus the Irrelevance of Sustainability

Medecins Sans Frontieres executive director Gorik Ooms writes that differing priorities between medical relief groups, concerned with immediate short-term health aid, and development agencies, concerned that initiatives be sustainable, could lead to clashes. Examples that he cites where relief efforts have been hampered are the 2000 flooding in Mozambique, the recent food crisis in Niger, and health care in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Public Library of Science Journal, 15 August 2006)

http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10%2E1371%2Fjournal%2Epmed%2E0030345

(Added: Thu Aug 17 2006   Modified: Fri Sep 22 2006   Hits: 149)

Hear Our Voices Campaign

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The "Hear Our Voices" Campaign, in support of the broader Conslidated Appeals Process (CAP) theme and events throughout 2004, will profile human success stories of how the CAP has worked positively in countries covered by the Appeals. In essence, this campaign will help put a human face on the CAP to show the media, the international community and publics in donor countries the value of well funded and coordinated Appeals for saving human lives and helping restore communities.

http://www.un.org/Depts/ocha/cap/voices.html

(Added: Tue Nov 18 2003   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 143)

Humanitarian Information Centers

Humanitarian Information Centers (HIC) support the co-ordination of humanitarian assistance through the provision of information products and services. As of 28th February 2005, the Centres include: Liberia, Iraq, Darfur, Sierra Leone, Afganistan, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, the DPR of Korea and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/

(Added: Mon Feb 28 2005   Modified: Tue Jan 10 2006   Hits: 185)

Humanitarian Information Network

The Humanitarian Information Network (HIN) website is a cooperative effort of stakeholders in the humanitarian field to build community among humanitarian information professionals and others with an interest in using information management tools to strengthen information exchange. Facilitated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) ReliefWeb and OCHA Field Information Support Unit, in cooperation with other actors from the humanitarian community, the website serves as a forum for sharing information on new initiatives related to: humanitarian information best practices; lessons learned; standards and operating principles; humanitarian websites (including global, field and humanitarian information centre websites); database and web-based information management tools; related new technologies; and notices on upcoming events and publications of interest.

http://www.reliefweb.int/hin/

(Added: Thu Oct 16 2003   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 469)

Humanitarian Practice Network

The Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) is an independent forum where field workers, managers and policymakers in the humanitarian sector share information, analysis and experience. HPN's aim is to improve the performance of humanitarian action by contributing to individual and institutional learning. HPN activities include: * Publishing a series of specialist publications: Humanitarian Exchange magazine, Network Papers and Good Practice Reviews * Occasional seminars and workshops bringing together practitioners, policymakers and analysts. HPN's members and audience comprise individuals and organisations engaged in humanitarian action. They are in 80 countries worldwide, working in northern and southern NGOs, the UN and other multilateral agencies, governments and donors, academic institutions and consultancies. HPN's publications are written by a similarly wide range of contributors. Funding for HPN is provided by institutional donors (DFID, Development Cooperation Ireland, SIDA, MFA Netherlands, DANIDA, USAID), non-governmental organisations (British Red Cross, Oxfam GB, Médecins Sans Frontières, Save the Children UK) and UN agencies (WFP).

http://www.odihpn.org/

(Added: Tue Feb 17 2004   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 289)

IMF to Subsidize Loans for Natural Disasters

Planet Ark, January 28, 2005. WASHINGTON - The shareholder governments of the International Monetary Fund on Thursday agreed to a plan to subsidize assistance for countries hit by natural disasters by providing loans at below-market interest rates. The decision follows the devastating Asian tsunami in which the global lender pledged $1 billion in loans to help countries hard-hit by the Dec. 26 disaster.

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/29248/story.htm

(Added: Fri Feb 04 2005   Modified: Wed Oct 25 2006   Hits: 160)

Managing the risks of corruption in humanitarian relief operations [PDF]

A study for the UK Department for International Development, by Barnaby Willitts-King and Paul Harvey, Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI, 31 March 2005. Corruption in emergency relief is an important concern but there has been a marked reluctance to discuss it publicly. This report commissioned by DFID for a conference on addressing corruption risks in relief efforts in response to the Tsunami presents a preliminary attempt to analyse what the main risks of corruption are in the delivery of humanitarian assistance and what can be done to minimise them.

http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/papers/Corruption_DFID_disclaimer_added.pdf

(Added: Wed May 18 2005   Modified: Thu Aug 31 2006   Hits: 271)

Oxfam South Asia Earthquake

An earthquake measuring 7.6 struck Asia on 8 October 2005. The worst affected areas are Kashmir, northern India and Afghanistan. The estimated deathtoll now stands at 87,000. Deteriorating weather conditions across the region are hampering access to the worst-affected areas. Aid is getting through to many of those affected by the earthquake, despite the massive logistical challenges. Oxfam is focusing on providing survivors with shelter and access to clean water. Oxfam has a history of working in the area and is mobilising its existing partners and resources in the response. Oxfam's counterpart Sungi Development Foundation (SDF) is responsible for the distribution of relief goods in the earthquake-hit area.

http://www.oxfam.org.nz/whatwedo.asp?s1=What%20we%20do&s2=Emergencies&s3=South%20Asia%20Earthquake

(Added: Wed Nov 23 2005   Modified: Wed Apr 19 2006   Hits: 108)

Pakistan: Political Impact of the Earthquake

This report from the International Crisis Group takes a critical look at the Pakistan governements performance following the devastating earthquake that struck in October 2005. This report "finds that the military government sought to use earthquake rescue and relief, and now intends to use reconstruction and rehabilitation, to demonstrate its competence. Its attempt, however, to maintain central control and refuse civilian oversight and other transparency measures while encouraging a prominent role for Islamist organisations, including jihadi groups banned as terrorists, threatens to waste much of the international effort while increasing the influence of political extremists."

http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=4023

(Added: Thu Mar 16 2006   Modified: Thu Aug 31 2006   Hits: 258)

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