Red Cross in the Caribbean focuses on recovery

“In the past we have focused on disaster preparedness and more recently the new terminology of disaster risk reduction and very little on disaster recovery. The time for us has come for Red Cross Societies in the Caribbean to start focusing more of their efforts on the recovery process.”

This was the view of Dr Raymond Forde, vice-president, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Federation) and president of the Barbados Red Cross at the recently held post disaster recovery workshop which was held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

The Caribbean region regularly suffers the impact of natural disasters. When a major disaster strikes, not only does it cause serious loss of life and property, it often takes away or threatens the livelihoods and future of those who have survived.

For a large number of households, their vulnerability increases after a disaster, while often decreasing their ability to cope with future shocks.

The purpose of the workshop which was held from April 29 – May 1, 2008 was to collectively look at how the Red Cross and other key organizations can work together to, plan and implement effective post –disaster recovery programmes in the Caribbean.

The workshop had two main objectives – firstly to raise awareness on “what is recovery” and its place within the Red Cross’ overall disaster response and secondly, to share experiences, lessons learnt and best practices for recovery (shelter, livelihoods etc) between the Red Cross societies providing assistance in the Caribbean region.

Participants included senior representatives from the Red Cross Societies from the region who are involved in making decisions about disaster preparedness, relief and recovery responses.

There were also participants from other Red Cross Societies and the Federation including the Solomon Islands Red Cross who came to share their experiences from the recent 2004 Tsunami.

The efforts and success of Red Cross Societies in the Caribbean in the areas of disaster relief and recovery have been varied, considering the relative vulnerabilities of the territories, given their insular geographical landscape, size and open borders.

The variation in the nature and extent of damage caused by hurricanes and other natural disasters is extensive.

Terry Gaillard, director general, St Lucia Red Cross believes that their has to be a very strong distinction between relief and recovery before any Red Cross Society starts its planning process to deal with any disaster.

“In my mind relief refers to the immediate or short term assistance provided to persons in need after a disaster and recovery is the long term process of which restoration and rehabilitation form essential parts.”

Terry believes that the St Lucia Red Cross is in a better position now in terms of its organization to deal with imminent disaster than in previous years.

“Our supply stocks have improved and the training of volunteers and staff is high on our agenda at the Red Cross.

We have also included psychosocial support training as part of our programming to equip them with the necessary skills to cope on a personal level as well as to assist others in times of disasters.”

However, she noted that the Red Cross Societies cannot be left alone in dealing with issues such as recovery and there must be a direct link with other partners throughout the region especially with the Federation.

“While Red Cross Societies are developing their capacity to a great extent to respond to threats that may arise and assist those who may fall victim to such events, sometimes we are constrained because of the limited financial resources that may be available locally. That’s why it is necessary to strengthen their partnerships with the Federation, donors and other agencies.”

Karen Diaz, president, Belize Red Cross shared some of Terry’s views.

She said on the regional front there needs to be better co-ordination and dissemination of information as a useful tool to improve the regional response system so that organizations collectively put proven measures in place when the need arises.

Karen is convinced that regional agencies and governments, as well as other bodies for disaster management must work together and share information and ideas amongst each other so that a concerted, unified effort will be made and beneficiaries will receive the required assistance.

“That’s why I found the recovery workshop to be so effective, because it provided a forum for the sharing of experiences. It was also quite productive and serves to shed light on all the issues that affect Red Cross Societies in disaster recovery work.”

Karen added that she was hopeful that this meeting sensitized the Red Cross Movement in the Caribbean at least to render them more cognitively prepared for disasters that may strike in the upcoming hurricane season and that this awareness will translate into concerted action on their part.