Disasters and International Agencies

Disaster and Internation Agencies

Countries face increased risk from a full range of known to unknown crisis. Disaster consequences have greater severe effects on populations and environments. The governments try their level best to take action to prepare for and mitigate the effects of this natural, technological and intentional hazard. Although efforts have been invested in curbing the occurrences of this hazard it still becomes difficult, not only to local response capacities but also the response capacities of entire nations or regions. This calls for support from the international community, intervention, requiring international disaster management. The international agencies comprise of international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, the United Nations, various Non-government organizations (NGOs).These agencies are involved in four phases of emergency management that is mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

In this paper we will look at two international agencies:

CARE international

The International Red Cross and Crescent societies

CARE INTERNATIONAL

CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) it is a wide humanitarian organization that fight global poverty and operates in more than 70 countries.

CARE international has various role and responsibilities pertaining to its staff overall members, country office, Regional Management Unit, National Headquarters, CARE security unit.

Roles and responsibilities

Human rights-CARE assists vulnerable population.

Take part in analysis -- the CARE regional management unit review the effectiveness and importance of each country office and recommend appropriate modifications.

Record of Emergency data-CARE country offices obtain and update a record of emergency data.

Leadership -- CARE give support and leadership to its members to ensure high and reliable security.

Staff Orientation -- the country office has a responsibility to update the new hired workers.

Incident reporting-this is the role county office to hastily report all security safety and serious health incidents to the appropriate Regional Management Unit.

Situational awareness-staff members learn and understand the security and situation where they are, where they are located.

CARE international (Relief Agency) works towards, fighting global poverty. Its mission is to serve persons and families in poorest communities in the world. They facilitate lasting change by delivering relief in emergencies, influencing policy decisions at all levels and addressing issues pertaining to discrimination, CARE board of directors is the governing body. CARE international theoretical approach to managing disaster considers:

Mitigation. This involves minimization of the effects of disaster e.g. public education.

Preparedness. This involves planning how to respond in case a disaster occurs

Response. Involves efforts to reduce the hazards created by a disaster.

Recovery. This is the aim to return community to normal.

CARE international responded to East Kalimantan Indonesia disaster of fire which had become increasingly vulnerable to forest fires. CARE has come up with humanitarian approach to community forest fire management based on disaster management concepts. CARE programme consists of participatory action and learning, training in disaster management, building local emergency response capacity, improving land-use, and mapping (Wanfield, 2004)

CARE took part in coming up with project in East Kalimantan; the project targets forest communities and also seeks to reduce vulnerabilities of communities to overall disasters. CARE approach is based on involvement of stakeholders, strengthening the community's capacity and utilizing an integrated media approach.

CARE responds and operates in various regions of the world. CARE international responded and operates in various regions of the world. CARE international responded rapidly to assist people in need during the Gujarat earthquake disaster. They played a role in giving out materials for temporary shelter, clothing, cooking utensils, a kerosene cooker and water purification tablets. CARE worked with the Indian Government and other international agencies and local partners to target severe hit blocks in the Kutch regions for emergency relief to offer prompt humanitarian need and rehabilitation as a long-term goal (Bilham, 2006)

INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT

The international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is an international humanitarian movement; it was founded to protect human life and health. It consists of several organizations that include:

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC)

International committee of Red Cross (ICRC)

National Red Cross and red cross societies

Roles and responsibilities

Coordinate relief efforts for victims of natural disasters

Give advice and assistance in the development of national societies

Promote and participate in ongoing peace time IHL education activities

Support relief operations by channeling need goods and monetary contributions.

Aid in provision of medical and Relief workers.

Re-establishing family communication and if possible re-unite relatives.

Establish hospitals and safety zones for the civilian population.

Participate in relief programs for displaced persons.

International Red cross and crescent movements mission is to prevent and get rid of human suffering whenever it may be found, protect life and health as well ensuring respect for human beings. It operates in many regions and many countries.

International red cross and crescent movement responded to Gujarat earthquake disaster that occurred in India, they offered support in support and recovery of Gujarat earthquake disaster the American red cross of central new jersey had pronounced that the infinity foundation had started a matching grant program of $10,000 this was to be forwarded to the American red cross Indian earthquake relief food (Favez, et, al. 2009)

Immediately after the disaster inflict, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the international Federation launched and appealed for £10 million to help 300,000 people this was budgeted to sustain them for a period of four months and support the Indian Red Cross emergency relief activities. The role was to provide affected people with shelter, safe water and medical assistance. They also played a significant role in flowing in special units to the region to provide essential services with inclusion of a 350-bed hospital, water and sanitary units, telecommunications teams, a primary health unit and a British Red Cross logistic team.