Ten Commandments: Key Issues in Planning a

humanitarian response

Planning & Managing Humanitarian Response

• The world faced 200 natural calamities in the 2nd half of the 20th century.

•More than 1.4 million people lost their lives in these disasters

• 90% of the casualties resulted from the floods & cyclones

• During 1991-2002, 5,31,159 persons were killed by natural disasters (Center for Research on

Epidemology of Disasters(CRED) Belgium)

• 26th Dec. 2003, Bam Earthquake claimed 26271 lives

• 26th Dec. 2004, Asian Tsunami resulted in more than 1,75,000 casualties

• From January to October 2005 some 97,490 people died because of disasters around the world, 88,117 of them because of natural disasters.

•(Photo by Armando Waak/PAHO)

*Source: BMTPC Vulnerability Atlas of India

1. Identify Needs

So that appropriate measures could be adopted

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

2. Get right people at right places

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

3.Define Responsibilities

• In such a way that a clear role is outlined for every individual within an operation & appropriate coordination mechanism is

established.

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

4. Be Flexible & Respond to Changing Needs & Aspirations

• What is appropriate now, may vary with time!

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

5. Identify Standards

• Standards reflect special needs

• Basic minimum must be given.

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

6. Always Remember Longer Term Objectives

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

7. Involve People…at all stages of planning &

implementation

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

8. Be Aware of Socio-Economic Roles of Men,

Women & Children • How they will affect & be affected by the planned

activities...

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

9. Do Not Treat Issues In Isolation

• Practice a Multi-sectoral approach• Coordinate,coordinate,coordinate

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response

10. Monitor & Evaluate Effectiveness of

Response

Key Issues in Planning a Humanitarian Response