Session 1.1.2

Understanding humanitarian emergencies

Session 1.1.2: Objectives

Learning objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

•Explain what a humanitarian emergency is and relate this to their local context•Describe the factors which determine if a humanitarian response is needed

An emergency

A sudden and usually unforeseen event that calls for immediate measures to minimise its adverse consequences

An emergency

An emergency occurs after a disaster, or during a prolonged crisis, when local capacity is insufficient to address needs and an immediate response is required

Humanitarian emergency

Occurs in situations where the relevant authorities are unable, or unwilling, to respond to the protection and assistance of needs of the population in the territory over which they have control, and when assessment and analysis indicate these needs are not met

What is and is not an emergency?

Haiti earthquake, 7.0 Mw Chile earthquake 8.8 Mw

Photo: mirror.co.uk

What is and is not an emergency?

Pakistan floods Australia floods

What is and is not an emergency?

“Hazards only become disasters when people’s lives and livelihoods are swept away...we must reduce the impact of disasters by building sustainable communities that have long-term capacity to live with risk.”

Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General,

International Day for Disaster Reduction, 8 Oct 2003

In groups, brainstorm:

In this country, what factors would you need to consider to decide if a situation

requires an emergency response?

What is and is not an emergency?

A number of factors are considered when categorising a particular emergency:

• humanitarian need: total number of people affected, number of people severely affected

• amount and scale of physical damage • local capacities to respond – government and non

government• how prepared country is for such an emergency• how ready the government is to act

What is and is not an emergency?

However, it is often management judgement and not a mechanical assessment of these factors that determines whether an emergency response is required and how an agency responds

The Humanitarian Charter

The right to…

• life with dignity

• protection and security

• receive humanitarian assistance

WASH Cluster Coordinator Training - BKK

1. People-centred humanitarian response participation, community mobilisation, psychosocial,

complaints and redress, information-sharing

2. Coordination and collaboration

3. Assessment initial, rapid and in-depth assessments

4. Analysis and design response and targeting standards

5. Performance, transparency and learning monitoring and evaluation standards and principle of accountability

6. Aid worker performance linked to PiA and to HAP benchmark

Minimum standards: minimum levels to be attained in humanitarian response

Key actions: suggested activities and inputs to help meet standards

Key indicators: ‘signals’ that standard achieved

Guidance notes: specific points to consider when applying the minimum standards

What is a minimum standard?

• minimum level of service

Standard 1: Excreta disposal

People have adequate, appropriate and acceptable toilet facilities, sufficiently close to their dwellings, to allow rapid, safe and secure access at all times, day and night Q. How many ways can you think of to measure this?

What are key actions?• Suggested activities and inputs to help meet the standards

Key actions: Excreta disposal

Consult and secure the approval of all users (especially women and people with limited mobility) on the siting, design and appropriateness of sanitation facilities

• Provide the affected people with the means, tools and materials to construct, maintain and clear their toilet facilities……..

What are key indicators?- Show if standard attained - Measures and communicates

- impact or result- process or methods

- May be qualitative or quantitative

Key indicators: Excreta disposal• Maximum 20 people use each toilet• Separate, internally lockable toilets for women and

men are available in public places…• Toilets are no more than 50 metres from dwellings

(see guidance notes)…

What are guidance notes?

- disseminate experience- illuminate areas of controversy- help use indicators in context

Guidance notes - Excreta disposal“…inappropriate siting of toilets may make women and girls more vulnerable to attack… ensure that women and girls feel and are safe when using the toilets provided…