Emergency Planning – Week # 5 Lecture 1

International Disaster Management

Citizens of all nations face risks associated with natural and technological hazards, and almost all eventually become victim to disaster.  The response capacity of individual nations can be linked to several factors, including propensity for disaster, local and regional economic resources, government structure, and availability of technological, academic and human resources.  It is becoming increasingly common that the response capabilities of individual nations fall short in the face of large-scale disasters, and outside assistance is required.  

Furthermore, there appears to be an increase in the number of disasters that affect entire regions, which calls upon a global response structure that is still in its infancy.  The developing nations suffer the greatest impact of nature’s fury, and it is these same nations that are also most often subject to the internal civil conflict that leads to Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (CHEs).  Furthermore, the greatest incidence of natural disasters occurs within developing countries, with 90% of disaster-related injuries and deaths sustained in countries with per-capita income levels below $760 per year.  

International Disasters Defined

When the response capacity of the entire nation’s emergency management structure is overwhelmed, that event becomes known as an international disaster, and involvement of the international community of responders is required.  Three types of emergencies that normally spur an international humanitarian response: natural disasters, technological disasters, and complex humanitarian emergencies (CHEs).  Although CHEs are fundamentally different from natural and technological disasters in regards to their generally political and intentional sources, they share many characteristics in terms of their requirements for response and recovery.  

There are several issues that must be addressed when responding to international disasters. Coordination is a vital and immediate component due to the sheer numbers of responding agencies that almost always appear, which can total several hundred. Successful coordination and cooperation can lead to great success and many lives saved, but infighting, turf battles, and non-participation can lead to confusion and even cause a ‘second disaster’.  Sovereignty of the state is based upon the recognition of political authority characterized by territory and autonomy.

Accordingly, a foreign nation or organization cannot intercede in domestic matters without the prior consent of the ruling government.  Equality in relief distribution can be difficult to achieve for any number of cultural or political reasons, causing certain groups in need to be favored.

Inequality can present itself as gender bias or class bias.  Capacity building and linking relief with development is an obligation of responding agencies.  Disasters almost always present a window of opportunity to rebuild old, ineffective structures and develop policy and practice in a way that leaves behind a more empowered, resilient community.  Such opportunities are greatest in situations that require the complete restoration of infrastructure and basic social services.

The United Nations System

In the event of a disaster, the UN is quite possibly the best equipped to coordinate disaster relief, and to work with the governments to rehabilitate and reconstruct.  This is especially true in the case of the developing countries where regular projects are ongoing and must be adjusted to accommodate for damages to infrastructure and economy caused by recurrent disasters, and where disasters quickly exhaust response capabilities.  Upon disaster onset, the UN responds immediately and in an ongoing basis by supplying aid in the form of food, shelter, medical assistance and logistical support.  

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator heads the international UN response to crises through a committee of several humanitarian bodies including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN Children’s fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and other associates as deemed necessary in accordance with the problems specific to the event.  The UN also serves to promote prevention and mitigation activities through their regular development projects.  

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

NGOs have come to play a vital role in the response and recovery to disasters, filling gaps left by national and multilateral organizations and improving the ability of international relief efforts to address the needs of victims.  Larger NGOs, like the ICRC, have established an international presence similar to that of the UN.  There are several classifications of humanitarian organizations widely accepted among the international relief community, including: 

· Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)

· Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs)

· International Organizations (IOs)

· Donor Agencies

· Coordinating Organizations

NGOs can be characterized by several commonly seen characteristics, including: 

· They value their independence and neutrality

· They tend to be decentralized in their organizational structure

· They are committed 

· They are seen as being highly practice-oriented

Assistance Provided by the United States Government

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) coordinates the U.S. response to international disasters. USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Response (DCHA) manages the US response to humanitarian emergencies. Under DCHA is the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) that most specifically addresses the needs of disaster and crisis victims by coordinating all non-food aid provided by the government. OFDA is divided into three sub-units: Operations Division (OPS); Program Support Division (PS); and Disaster Response and Mitigation (DRM).

The USAID administrator becomes the President’s Special Coordinator for International Disaster Assistance. For large disasters, a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is deployed to assess damage and recommend U.S. assistance. In the largest disasters, Response Management Teams (RMTs) may be established in Washington and the disaster site to coordinate several DART teams deployed. OFDA also offers Technical Assistance Groups (TAGs) to provide specific expertise.  Finally, OFDA provides grants for relief assistance projects.  

The U.S. Military is often involved in international response, providing an assortment of heavy equipment, trained personnel, and a culture of discipline and mission-oriented standard operation. Conflicts of interest do arise out of the fundamental differences between the needs of disaster victims and military’s primary mission of defense.

The International Financial Institutions

In the aftermath of disasters, it is common for nations with low capital reserve to request emergency loans to fund reconstruction and rehabilitation.  Without these IFIs, most developing nations would have no means with which to recover.  The largest IFIs include The World Bank, and one of its subsidiaries, the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB – primarily in Central and South America), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB throughout the Asian continent.)