RedR

“We were planning to launch a disaster risk reduction project but did not have anyone with the training”. 

Mussarat, local aid worker

Aid agencies did all they could to help the communities of the Sindh survive in the difficult aftermath of the floods in 2010, 2011 and 2012, but knew that teaching people to cope when floods struck in future would be the most valuable gift they could give.  However few of their staff were trained in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

In 2012 RedR delivered Disaster Risk Reduction courses to several Pakistani NGOs and local government departments. Mussarat and four of her colleagues from an NGO called Indus Resource Centre, based in Mirpur Khas district, Sindh province, are now able to work with whole villages to protect them against future floods. In practice this means that:

• Hazards have been identified and addressed. These include low-lying electricity cables or large holes that could be filled with water during a flood (as well as being a direct hazard these attract mosquitoes)
• Pre-emptive structural changes have been made. House flooring has been raised to a higher level, walls fortified using traditional tools people already own plans put in place to monitor canal water levels to ensure it remains an effective barrier against floods
• Links have been built with local and district authorities, identifying government and media resources and key regional points of contact, such as district fire departments and irrigation departments. These will reduce the vulnerability of the village and make a coordinated future effort of relief and recovery possible

The organisations that RedR has trained in Mirpur Khas district cover the whole region, population 15,000. Musarrat's NGO alone covers 23 villages, meaning thousands of people are better prepared for future disasters.

Over the course of our programme, and through the generous support of our donors, we have trained over 1,000 relief workers across key humanitarian areas such as water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, supply chain and fleet management, safety and security, and telecommunications. 91 percent of the people trained have been national Haitian humanitarian personnel, providing a strong skills base within the country, increasing local involvement in the relief and recovery process and ensuring that skills remain in country long after the media attention has faded.

We are now winding down our training operations in Haiti.  RedR would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to our Emergency Appeal; your donations have made an invaluable difference to rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of the people of Haiti. 

There will remain a strong legacy of our time in Haiti. The skills taught will continue to have impact on the ongoing relief operation for months, even years to come. RedR Members will continue to work in the region, sharing their experience and  our technical support service remains available to all field workers. 

For a our full Haiti report and for further information about RedR's activities please visit our website: www.redr.org.uk

Thank you for what you have helped us do for the Haitian community.

Links:

• RedR UK Haiti Report

Since RedR set up its Disaster Response Support Service, 871 relief workers working for 46 organisations have been trained in essential humanitarian and reconstruction skills and techniques. Crucially, 92% of those trained are Haitian nationals - helping communities to respond with the resources they need to rebuild their lives. This philosophy is highlighted in our campaign Respond, Resource, Rebuild. Read more by clicking on the link below.

What effect does RedR's training have? It means participants can leave our training room and help communities fight disease, distribute supplies, get clean water and stay safe. It also means Haitians are gaining skills and knowledge that will stay with them for a lifetime.

It is thanks to people like you that we have been able to run this program. Thank you so much for your support.

Links:

• RedR's Respond, Resource, Rebuild Campaign