Checklist for Effective Disaster Response: Insights for Wise ...

Key Points Do your homework: Assess receiver needs and your capabilities. Don’t act alone: Collaborate with proven on the ground partners. Mostly send money: Buy supplies near the disaster rather than ship. Create greater independence: Empower recipients for greater self-sufficiency. Minimize theft: Create a strong corruption mitigation plan. Debrief, acknowledge, publicize, celebrate: Learn from mistakes and successes. 1.1 Decide which phase/s of pre, during and/or post disaster intervention you want to support in what way andwhy.1.2 First, give money directly to proven NGOs (and agencies like UN World Food Program and UNICEF) that hasa presence on the ground in the disaster zone. Address greatest needs through these NGOs and prevent costlyshipment and disposal of un-needed, unsolicited goods that can clog distribution points, be wasted or cause harm.Recognize that monetary donations make possible regional purchases that also avoid international shipmenthassles, reduce shipment costs, create local jobs and support the recovery of the local economy.1.3 Get an overview of the situation from those in the impact zone. Track specialized news media serving thehumanitarian relief community. 1 Obtain up-to-date maps of the crisis area. 21.4 Determine your options for action. Decide if providingsupplies is the most appropriate project for your organizationand the affected communities. 31.5 Become familiar with basic tenets of the UN HumanitarianCharter, particularly if you are serving refugees or displacedpersons. 4 Understand your accountability to those whom youassist. 51.6 Do not solicit material donations unless all arrangementsare in place. If well-meaning supporters send goods to yourorganization before logistics and partnerships are worked out,consider auctioning the items and sending the cash to thefield. 6 1.7 Follow recognized-acknowledged standards of humanitarian action. The Sphere Handbook 7 refers to thefollowing core standards regarding processes and people: 1) participation, 2) initial assessment, 3) response, 4)targeting, 5) monitoring, 6) evaluation, 7) aid worker competencies and responsibilities, and 8) supervision,management and support of personnel.