As they are closest to the communities at risk of disasters and crises, building local and national response capacities is a primary responsibility of National Societies. However, we know that major disasters and crises can sometimes overwhelm even those who are best prepared. That is why National Societies have committed to support each other and have built up emergency response capabilities to do so. The Secretariat has a constitutional obligation “to organize, coordinate and direct international relief action” as a core service to members of the International Federation (DMIS).
Drawing on the complementary capacities of National Societies, we ensure that effective tools and reliable surge capacities are always available, in a seamless arrangement that connects global, regional, national and local capabilities (in part through the work of the DM Network). This gives us the confidence to handle the expected worldwide increase in the number and magnitude of major disasters. ICRC and the International Federation work together concurrently to maintain substantial capacities to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and violence.
In the Caribbean there is a five year strategic framework which sets out the key priorities. The framework focuses on building capacity within communities to enable them to prepare for and respond to disasters in their area as well as to help neighbouring communities when the need arises. The framework promotes greater coordination between the Red Cross societies, community based groups and national disaster offices in the aim of reducing the number of deaths, injuries, and impact from disasters and public health emergencies.
The NITs training course is an interactive workshop engaging the participants in the almost immediate application of the knowledge and skills shared.
Disaster Management Network
The Disaster Management Network is a regional team formed in 2003 to work on charting the strategic direction and providing peer support for National Societies. It aims to improve the profile of the Red Cross through its work in disaster management /risk reduction, as well as to reflect what the region's National Societies and Overseas Branches would like done in disaster risk reduction. The DM Network also has the responsibility for an increased coordination with regional agencies to increase participation opportunities.
Current priority Areas of Action
- Regional training tools development, NITs, CDRTs, Better Be Prepared
- Guidance for the Federation’s regional 2009-2010 work plans
- Volunteer Management
- Partnership development with Donors and technical organisations e.g. International Amateur Radio Union
National Intervention Teams
National Intervention Team (NIT) for disaster response was established in 1999 by the Federation Secretariat in the Caribbean to refer to the human resource response system within a National Society. The NIT responds to and helps communities recover from disasters, as part of the IFRC “local to global” response system. The NITs training course is an interactive workshop engaging the participants in the almost immediate application of the knowledge and skills shared.
The training curriculum includes:
- General Policy Documents – IFRC Response System, Code of Conduct, SPHERE standards, Safer Access
- Information collection Analysis and Organisation – Information in Disasters, Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments, DANA, Action Plans
- Service Provision – Dignifying Humanitarian Aid, Shelter, Psycho-social support, Health in Disasters, Restoring Family Links, Water and Sanitation and Logistics
- Coordination and Communication – Telecommunications, media communications, Coordination with Counterparts, EOC and ICS system.
Regional Intervention Teams
Regional Intervention Teams (RITs) – also known as Regional Disaster Response Teams (RDRT) – are a cost-effective regional disaster response support system that is entirely staffed by members of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. A RIT team is composed of National Red Cross Society volunteers or staff, usually members of their own national response teams, trained to be deployed as a team within 24 or 48 hours to support neighbouring National Societies responding to a disaster. They are made up of a core group of people with cross-sectoral expertise, such as health, logistics, water and sanitation, as well as generalist relief workers.
The aim of RITs is to actively promote building of regional capacities in disaster management. The training curriculum is standardized and is designed so that regional teams are both able to support national disaster response teams and work alongside international teams where necessary.
For more information on the RIT / RDRT system, click here.
