Disaster preparedness assessment toolsBetter programming initiative (BPI) provides:

> a simple tool to support planning, implementation and analysis of aid programmes; and

> a practical framework to analyse the quality and ethical implications of Red Cross Red Crescent action in the community.

Well-prepared National Society (WPNS) provides:

> National Societies with a questionnaire self-assessment tool which helps identify their disaster preparedness capacities;

> best practice by identifying critical factors within National Societies coping well with disasters; and

> a base for other more detailed assessments such as vulnerability and capacity assessment.

Vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA) provides:

> a better understanding of main risks and hazards; who are most at risk from natural and man-made disasters;

> identification of main vulnerabili-ties and capacities of people at risk;

> recommendations for appropriate community action to reduce risks, better cope with and recover from disasters;

> National Society priorities to support communities at risk; and

> a mechanism to work closely with authorities and other organisations.

Disaster preparedness and risk reduction

D I S A S T E R M A N A G E M E N T

Disaster Management Information System (DMIS)

Disaster preparedness and risk reduction are essential to Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to reducing disaster impact and related vulnerabilities.

It is the role of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to improve the lives of vulnerable people who are at risk from situations that threaten their survival or their capacity to live with a minimum level of socio-economic security and dignity.

Disaster Management Information System (DMIS), the International Federation’s extranet for disaster management and information sharing, provides information about disasters in a systematic and consistent way, and monitors factors that may signal impending emergencies.

Members of the Red Cross Red Crescent can access near real time information on operations worldwide, post field reports on emergencies in their region, and access operational and technical information from around the world.

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has developed and provides a range of Disaster Management Tools for its members across the world which are described in this folder

tools

Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF)The Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) is a non-earmarked credit facility used to kick start activities for disaster response and preparedness. DREF is the International Federation’s main mechanism for accessing immediate emergency funding.

DREF was created in 1985 to ensure that the International Federation has funds available for rapid and immediate response to disasters. Requests are made for the utilisation of funds, and once approved they are transferred through the fastest banking system available, or as a last resort, hand delivered from the International Federation secretariat.

Emergency items catalogue

Field Assessment and Coordination Teams (FACT)Emergency operations are multifaceted, frequently politically sensitive, fast moving and all too often insecure. Unlike development programmes, which are designed and implemented over much longer time frames, complex emergencies require rapid assessment, close coordi-nation with dozens of actors, quick decision-making and rapid deployment.

The catalogue provides generic technical specifications for essentials items and provides guidance and assistance to:> operational users and

decision-makers, donors and national authorities concerned

with planning, budgeting and exe-cution of assistance programmes in emergency situations, and

> purchasers and suppliers involved with the supply of emergency items.

The catalogue improves the operational efficiency with the supply of the right item – quality, price and lead time – in accordance with international regulations and past experiences.

Standardisation of emergency relief and medical items is of crucial importance to improving operational efficiency. In an effort to mainstream the global approach to logistics services, the International Federation and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have produced an emergency items catalogue.

The catalogue aims to facilitate the selection and acquisition of suitable items, notably during the initial phase of an emergency.

Standardisation is intended to facilitate field operations and logistics support, improve quality insurance, communication and reporting, and also to avoid inappropriate donations.

It is in this competitive, complex and increasingly demanding environment the International Federation created the FACT system in 2000 to ensure sufficient support to Red Cross or Red Crescent National Societies during the emergency phase, allowing operations to begin while buying enough time to mobilise longer term human resource solutions.

What is FACT?The Field Assessment and Coordination Teams concept methodology was developed in close cooperation with the UN’s OCHA and the assessment and coordination systems are compati-ble with OCHA’s UNDAC system.

A core group of experienced Red Cross Red Crescent disaster managers from within the Federation and from the National Societies with different expertise in relief, logistics, health, nutrition, public health and

epidemiology, water and sanitation, finance, administration, psycholo-gical support, as well as language capabilities - have followed the trai-ning to become members of FACT teams, able to support national Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies in major disaster response. They are ready to participate in a FACT team deployment with 12-24 hours notice for 2-4 weeks anywhere in the world.

How does it work?In the case of a humanitarian emergency, the National Society in the affected country may request assistance from the International Federation. The Federation Secretariat then alerts FACT members all over the world using automated systems and requests their availability. A team is composed by the Secretariat and is deployed immediately to the disaster area.

Food securityRed Cross and Red Crescent activities in food security

The role of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is best described as holistic, making food accessible and available to vulnerable populations. Our approach ensures optimal utilisation of resources based on an analysis of vulnerability to food insecurity and humanitarian needs.

The role of the food security desk within disaster manage-ment and coordination division

> To provide advice and informa-tion in order to raise awareness on food security issues amongst National Societies, the Interna- tional Federation secretariat and its field offices.

> To support the development of programmatic interventions that aim to improve the food security of vulnerable people.

> To raise the profile of the Interna-tional Federation’s work in food security by capturing and disseminating lessons learned.

> To support the development of food security policies and strategies in order to capture and reflect the strength of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Humanitarian Logistics Software The Humanitarian Logistics Software (HLS) is custom-built software serving the needs of the International Federation supply chain management from origin to destination, compiled based on best practices from the humanitarian and commercial sectors.

The Humanitarian Logistics Software consists of five modules:

> General: set-up information and data> Mobilisation> Procurement> Logistics and tracking> Reporting: standard and ad hoc reports

These modules enable the following:

> Registration of in-kind donations> Handling the complex procurement process> Tracking of goods and associated financial

information> Real-time pipeline reporting> Real-time information on the goods-flow status> Integration with other systems> Historical analysis for appeal accuracy

Logistics preparedness

These components work together to build logistics capacities of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to develop and manage human and material resources in support of humanitarian programmes and services.

Logistics preparedness seeks to build sustainable capacities within the network of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies by helping to put in place tools and systems that allow an adequate logistics support to regular programmes and to emergency relief

operations.

The International Federation’s logistics preparedness strategy has five major components.

> Increased flexibility> Combining knowledge and experience with skills> Build knowledge> Improved effectiveness> Improved cost efficiency

Logistics and resource mobilisationLogistics is a key professional element in successful disaster management. It aims to establish the required capacities to move goods and people where and when required. It is a key support service to both disaster relief operations and ongoing programmes of the International Federation and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The five rights

Logistics is a support service that provides the means required to move goods, people and manufacturing capacity:

> To the right place> At the right time> In the right quantity> At the right quality> At the right price

The five functions

To be able to control fully the supply chain management, logistics has the responsibility for the following functions:

> Assessment and planning to support programmes

> Mobilisation > Transport management> Warehouse management> Reporting

World Disasters ReportPublished annually since 1993, the World Disasters Report (WDR) provides a comprehensive analysis of the world’s humanitarian crises. It is a useful information source and training tool for disaster management professionals and donors, politicians and planners, scientists and academics, journalists and community aid workers.

Professionalizing disaster management

The World Disasters Report is regarded as a high profile publication containing credible and informative contributions to the knowledge on disaster reduction, response and recovery.

The World Disasters Report aims to create a forum that bridges the existing gap between disaster research and organisations involved in disaster management and to debate the politicisation of humanitarian aid.

The World Disasters Report aims to create a forum that bridges the existing gap between disaster research and organisations involved in disaster management and to debate the politicisation of humanitarian aid.

Regional Disaster Response Teams (RDRTs)RDRTs are a cost-effective regional disaster response support system that is entirely staffed by members of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The aim of RDRTs is to actively promote building of regional capacities in disaster management.

The system is designed to activate trained Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers in responding to disasters occurring in their own regions. The RDRT training also helps to strengthen disaster response capacities of individual National Societies.

When disaster strikes, a National Society can request the International Federation’s regional office or regional disaster management units to activate and deploy the RDRT members. The team can get involved in response assessments but its core value is to support a National Society in the implementation of a disaster relief operation.