Social Science - Sociology Assignment
DUBSTER
FSUWDCGenderandDisasterResponse.pptxWeek 13: Gender and Disaster Response
Key Terms
Disaster Response
Disaster Recovery
Emergency Management
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Introduction
Gender dynamics impact both the way they are affected by disasters and their capacity to withstand and recover from them
Gender inequalities can result in gender-differentiated disaster impact, and differentiated impacts can influence gender dynamics, which in turn affect future resilience to shocks
Disaster risk management policies are designed to maximize results, taking local conditions, including gender dynamics, as fixed
When women and men are affected differently by disasters, practitioners and policy makers have a responsibility to use the tools available for mitigating disaster impacts to close gender gaps in outcome (World Bank)
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What is disaster response?
Disaster response consists of numerous decisions and measures to:
(1) contain or mitigate the effects of a disastrous event to prevent any further loss of life and/or property
(2) restore order in its immediate aftermath
(3) re-establish normality
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Disaster Response Assistance
Consists of a number of elements, for example; warning/evacuation, search and rescue, providing immediate assistance, assessing damage, continuing assistance and the immediate restoration or construction of infrastructure, e.g. provisional storm drains of diversion dams)
The aim of emergency response is to provide immediate assistance to maintain life, improve health and support the morale of the affected population
Such assistance may range from providing specific but limited aid, such as assisting refugees with transport, temporary shelter, and food, to establishing semi-permanent settlement in camps and other locations
It also may involve initial repairs to damaged or diversion to infrastructure
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Disaster Response Assistance (cont’d)
The focus of the response phase is on putting people safe, preventing next disasters and meeting the basic needs of the people until more permanent and sustainable solutions can be found
As we have learned, men, women, boys and girls, and other genders have different needs
The main responsibility to address these needs and respond to a disaster lies with the government or governments in whose territory the disaster has occurred
In addition, humanitarian organizations are often strongly present in this phase of the disaster management cycle, particularly in countries where the government lacks the resources to respond adequately to the needs
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Emergency Management
Emergency management is the organization and management of the resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies (preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery). The aim is to reduce the harmful effects of all hazards, including disasters
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an emergency as the state in which normal procedures are interrupted, and immediate measures (management) need to be taken to prevent it from becoming a disaster, which is even harder to recover from
Disaster management is a related term but should not be equated to emergency management
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Common Objectives for Responders
Saving and protecting human life
Relieving suffering
Containing the emergency-limiting its escalation or spread and mitigating its impacts
Providing the public and businesses with warnings, advice and information
Protecting the health and safety of responding personnel
Safeguarding the environment; as far as reasonably practicable, protecting property
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Common Objectives for Responders (cont’d)
Maintaining or restoring critical activities
Maintaining normal services at an appropriate level
Promoting and facilitating self-help in affected communities
Facilitating investigations and inquiries (e.g. by preserving the scene and effective records management)
Facilitating the recovery of the community (including the humanitarian assistance, economic, infrastructure and environmental impacts)
Evaluating the response and recovery effort
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International Response Organizations
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies that require an international response.
OCHA plays a key role in operational coordination in crisis situations
This includes assessing situations and needs; agreeing common priorities; developing common strategies to address issues such as negotiating access, mobilizing funding and other resources; clarifying consistent public messaging; and monitoring progress
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U.S. Response Organizations
In the US, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates federal operational and logistical disaster response capability needed to save and sustain lives, minimize suffering, and protect property in a timely and effective manner in communities that become overwhelmed by disasters
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer information for specific types of emergencies, such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters and severe weather, as well as chemical and radiation accidents
Also, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health develops resources to address responder safety and health during responder and recovery operations
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U.S. Response Organizations (cont’d)
The American Red Cross. Among volunteers, the American Red Cross was chartered by Congress in 1900 to lead and coordinate non-profit efforts
They are supported by disaster relief organizations from many religious denominations and community service agencies
Licensed amateur radio operators support most volunteer organizations, and are often affiliated with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
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U.S. Response Organizations (cont’d)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance is an organizational unit within the USAID is charged by the U.S. President with directing and coordinating international U.S. government disaster assistance
USAID is different from FEMA, which coordinates disaster response domestically, inside of the U.S.
For example, USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to respond to humanitarian needs of 2014 Ebola crisis in Liberia during Operation United Assistance
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Disaster Impacts on Women and Men-Common
In disaster response relief, many actors tend to focus on addressing the most immediate needs first (OCHA)
Response efforts will focus on the immediate provision of quality life-saving humanitarian supplies, including ready-to-eat rations and food baskets, basic relief items for the most vulnerable households, including light hygiene and dignity kits, and a series of initial-and largely mobile-emergency protection interventions
Delivery of basic services will be supported through the reinforcement of available service providers relating to sectors including health, WASH, shelter, protection and education in the areas hosting those newly displace
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Disaster Impacts on Women and Men-Different
There are biological differences between men and women, which create different needs
For instance, the needs of women in a post-disaster context can include; having access to menstrual products, having access to a secure toilet (as going to a non secure toilet can leave women more vulnerable to the potential for rape or sexual assault), having critical pre or post natal services, etc.
These areas are also immediate needs that need to be addressed in post-disaster relief responses
Beyond women's immediate needs, women can face long term disparities as a result of disasters. Specifically, in terms of less income
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Gender Inequality and Disaster Recovery
Disaster recoveries are opportunities to build back in a way that breaks down the constraints faced by women
Gender inequality arises from the expected roles of men and women in a society, which influence socioeconomic status, level of agency, and the way men and women prepare for, react to, are impacted by, and recover from, disasters
Gender-differentiated impacts of disasters can exacerbate gender inequality, which in turn can worsen resilience to future disasters
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Gender Inequality and Disaster Recovery (cont’d)
Although women are in a disadvantage position in society at large, this does not always translate into worse disaster outcomes for women and girls
Men account for 70% of flood-related deaths in Europe and the United States primarily due to overrepresentation of men in rescue professions
Women in particular face barriers to access information and resources needed to adequately prepare, respond and cope to a disaster, including access to early warning and safe shelter, as well as to bank accounts to protect savings from disasters and stable income
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UNSCR 1325 and Disaster Response
In review, UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security consists of 4 pillars:
-Protection
-Participation
-Prevention
-Relief and recovery
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UNSCR 1325 and Disaster Response
UNSCR 1325’s Relief and Recovery pillar
Calls for advancement of relief and recovery measures to address international crises through a gendered lens
Including respecting the civilian and humanitarian nature of refugee camps,
And considering the needs of women and girls in the design of refugee camps and settlements (USIP)
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