Red Cross hosts disaster recovery workshop

The Caribbean Regional Representation Office (CRRO) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Federation) will host a three day workshop on post-disaster recovery from April 29 – May 1, 2008 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

Ms Tanya Wood, CRRO head of office, said the purpose of the workshop is 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.

“Red Cross Societies in the Caribbean region have diverse experience with post-disaster recovery assistance – including different approaches to working with communities to provide support to rebuilding shelter and people’s livelihoods.

There is a need to discuss these experiences, to share the lessons learnt within and outside of the Red Cross Movement. We also need to build upon good practice in preparation for this year’s hurricane season.”

In order to do this, the workshop will have 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.

The workshop is timed to coincide with the opportunity to discuss the Red Cross’ recovery response to hurricanes and Dean and Noel in 2007 and to support initiatives to better plan for and co-ordinate preparedness for the 2008 hurricane season.

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

There will also be participants from other Red Cross Societies and the Federation Secretariat (at various levels) that are actively involved in this region in the areas of assessment, planning, co-ordination and mobilizing resources for post disaster response.

A representative from one of the Red Cross Societies from the Pacific region will also attend and share their experiences in post-disaster recovery.