The Caribbean region regularly suffers the impact of natural disasters.  When a major disaster strikes, not only can 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, not only will their short-term economic and social vulnerability be increased, but their ability to cope with future shocks may also be eroded.

Even while individuals and communities may be in dire need of life-saving relief in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, they are also thinking about or starting to take action to rebuild their lives and homes within a few days of the disaster.

For the most vulnerable people, their survival may depend on doing this as quickly as possible. As a result, relief and recovery actions - including reconstruction and rehabilitation – usually take place at the same time and overlap with each other.

Understanding these inter-relationships, along with the root causes of vulnerability and risk, is critical to providing the most effective humanitarian assistance.

Recent reviews and evaluations of the International Federation’s experiences in recovery programming after larger-scale disasters have highlighted a number of areas where performance in post-disaster recovery needs to be improved. Among these are the need to provide better guidance to National Societies on the scope, scale and focus of recovery work. 

National Societies active in the Caribbean region have diverse experience with post-disaster recovery assistance - including different approaches to shelter, livelihoods & cash transfer. 

There is a need to discuss these experiences, to share the lessons learnt within and outside the RCRC Movement, and to build upon good practice in preparation for the next hurricane season. 

A more coordinated RCRC Movement approach to recovery practices in the region will lead to more effective NS recovery programmes. 

Sharing and documenting case studies and good practices can improve the quality and consistency with which disaster recovery programs are designed and implemented and contribute to our global learning. 

Purpose and objectives 

The purpose of the Workshop is to strengthen the capacity of RCRC partners to plan and implement effective post-disaster recovery programs in the Caribbean. 

The workshops will have two main objectives, firstly, to raise awareness on “what is recovery” and its place within our overall disaster response, and secondly, to sharing experiences, lessons learnt and best practices for recovery (shelter. livelihoods, etc), between the National Societies providing assistance in the Caribbean region. 

The workshop is timed to coincide with the opportunity to discuss the RCRC recovery response to Hurricanes Dean and Noel in 2007, and to support regional initiatives to better plan for and coordinate preparedness for the 2008 hurricane season.

Target audience

The target audience for the workshop is Senior National Society staff from the region who are involved in making decisions about disaster preparedness, relief and recovery responses. 

Equally important is the involvement of key participating National Societies and the Federation Secretariat (at various levels) who are involved in assessment, planning, coordination and mobilising resources for post disaster response. 

A representative from one of the National Societies of the Pacific region will support our interests for increased knowledge sharing and collaboration between the small island states in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

The workshop will also invite some of our strategic partners to share their experiences and participate in discussions.  

Key methods and activities

 The workshop will utilise a variety of different methods to promote participant interaction and learning.

Theoretical presentations will be very limited with more time devoted to learning through small group work, participant experience sharing and interactive panel and plenary discussions. 

A number of recovery case studies will be documented with National Societies in the lead up to the workshop (during April) and we will use the workshop to present and feedback on these “works in progress”, and to present and discuss other relevant case experiences. 

Generous break times will be included in the program to encourage informal discussions between participants and any evening sessions will be considered as optional for participants (only those interested need attend). The workshop will be conducted over three days in English.

 Key outputs and outcome

•  The key outcome will be increased awareness, knowledge and skills for recovery programming for the 40 + participants at the workshop.  The workshop will also hopefully result in stronger networks between RCRC and non-Movement partners in the region and beyond.
• Feedback on the three draft recovery case studies will lead to their finalisation soon after the workshop and their dissemination ahead of the 2008 hurricane season
• A brief summary of the key lessons learnt and best practices from the workshop will be prepared and disseminated soon after the workshop
• Copies of the various presentations and key reference documents will also be compiled onto a CD for each of the participants to take away with them from the workshop.