How to do VCA? - International Federation of Red Cross and Red ...

64International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent SocietiesVCA experience worldwide has shown that planning actions is astrong motivating factor for community members. After all, mostpeople want to create better lives for themselves and their neighbours,given the opportunity and support to do so.Since the communities themselves will be primarily responsiblefor any actions undertaken as a result of the VCA, it is importantthat they be involved in making the decisions – especially as,depending on the outcome, the Red Cross Red Crescent branchmay or may not be a partner in resulting projects.Box 16Key challengeDuring the analysis and planning process, the facilitators (volunteersand staff) need to be as open as possible to what the community has tosay. They should try to avoid “leading” the community to adopt resultsand actions based on Red Cross Red Crescent needs or capacity. Thisis especially important, because, as has been repeated in this series ofpublications, the priority of the communities may not be related to disastermanagement and could, therefore, be beyond the scope or capacityof the Red Cross Red Crescent.One note of caution: when a community actively participates inthe process of analysing and transforming their vulnerabilitiesinto capacities, their perceptions of the risks they face can alsoincrease. To assist in alleviating these, National Societies can offertangible support to the communities: first aid training, earlywarning micro-projects, development of community disasterplans, including preparedness and response. These are examplesof concrete results from the VCA and community planningprocess.