Truths, Lies and Myths of Disaster Relief and Recovery

Lessons Learned by Relief 2.0and Carlos Miranda Levy

WE ARE SAFE AND READY…1.

WE ARE SAFE AND READY…1.

Myth

No One is Safe or Ready

• Disasters can happen anywhere, anytime.• If we could predict them, they would hardly be

disasters…• Japan might have been the world’s most disaster

ready country, yet its frequent drills and 3 and 4 meter high sea barriers were no defense for a 9.0 earthquake and a 38 meter tall wave.

• We must be ready not just for disaster, but for efficient actions and response after disasters.

ONLY EXPERTS CAN HELP,VOLUNTEERS NEED NOT APPLY2.

ONLY EXPERTS CAN HELP,VOLUNTEERS NEED NOT APPLY2.

Myth

Everyone can help and be useful in the field if…

• Are self-reliable and have your own supplies.– Sleeping bag, tents, meds and food brought with you or bought locally if possible.

• Engage local stakeholders as partners– and work for them, with them.

• Have independent mobility.– Your own vehicle and preferably a local driver.

• Have Mobile Connectivity.– Local/global mobile phones and SMS, Global Internet and Wifi Access.

• Have the Support of a Social Network.– Following your every move, amplifying your reports, connecting resources and

satisfying your requests.

• Listen, learn, respect.– But at the same time, make your own, constant assessments and act upon them.

FOOD, CLOTHES AND MEDICINES ARE NOT NEEDED…3.

FOOD, CLOTHES AND MEDICINES ARE NOT NEEDED…3.

Lie

Actually, they are…

• These people have lost their homes, their clothes, their health, their peace, everything…

• The argument of “clothes, food and medicine are not needed” is an organization-centric one, focused in the needs and focus of relief organizations and not the needs of the people.

• Find a local grassroots or community organization or contact the survivors directly… they will gladly accept and receive your clothes, food and medicines.

WE HAVE ALL WE NEED,JUST SEND MONEY…4.

WE HAVE ALL WE NEED,JUST SEND MONEY…4.

Lie

Donate Action, Not Money

• We all know that money is not everything• People need more than food, clothing, shelter or

money.• Mental health, psychological and spiritual healing are

an important part of the needs of survivors.• Physical therapy for a continuous period is needed to

heal physical trauma.• Engage them as humans, as total persons, not broken

ones. Connect with them and serve as a bridge to the normal world and to a normal future.

GOODS AND RESOURCES NEED TO BE SHIPPED TO DISASTER AREAS5.

GOODS AND RESOURCES NEED TO BE SHIPPED TO DISASTER AREAS5.

Myth

Most Goods can beProcured Locally

• Disasters rarely destroy an entire country or region and usually affect only a limited portion of a territory.

• Most goods can either be procured, acquired or made locally elsewhere in the country where the disaster took place, eliminating shipping costs and with the added benefit of bringing money and activating the local economy.

DISASTER RECOVERY AND RESTORING THE LIVELIHOOD OF SURVIVORS IS 2ND PHASE STUFF6.

DISASTER RECOVERY AND RESTORING THE LIVELIHOOD OF SURVIVORS IS 2ND PHASE STUFF6.

Myth

It must start immediately

• Engagement of Local Stakeholders in the response process can be the most efficient way of jumpstarting the recovery process from phase 1.

• Procuring, contracting and employing local providers and institutions in the immediate response phase, we can accelerate the start of the recovery process right away.

DISASTERS CREATE SURVIVORS,IT’S THE CONVENTIONAL RELIEF SYSTEM THAT CREATES REFUGEES7.

DISASTERS CREATE SURVIVORS,IT’S THE CONVENTIONAL RELIEF SYSTEM THAT CREATES REFUGEES7.

True

DISASTER SURVIVORS ARE HELPLESS REFUGEES WHO NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF8.

DISASTER SURVIVORS ARE HELPLESS REFUGEES WHO NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF8.

Lie

They are able and capable

• We don’t need to cook for them.• We don’t need to feed them.• They can be part of the support and services

system for themselves.• No one knows better than them about their

needs, has a better motivation and will be more interested in the recovery process.

• Our goal must be to enable them to get back on track and with their lives as soon as possible.

DISASTERS DESTROY EVERYTHING9.

DISASTERS DESTROY EVERYTHING9.

Myth

When disaster strikes

• The physical infrastructure is destroyed.– But the social infrastructure remains, people’s capacity

is untouched…• What appears to be random or chaos is neither…– There is order, social structure…

• There is people, like you and me, organizations, willing and able.– Rotary club, Lions club, Parents associations, Church

groups, Teachers Associations, Boy scouts, they are all there.

NEVER HELP: ENABLE,ENGAGE, EMPOWER & CONNECT10.

NEVER HELP: ENABLE,ENGAGE, EMPOWER & CONNECT10.

True