This briefing paper provides a synthesis of and introduction to key lessons from evaluations of relief and recovery/humanitarian response to flooding in the last 20 years from Africa, Asia and the Americas. The paper is intended for people working in relief and recovery operations for floods “ those who have to decide if, when and how to intervene.
The paper covers lessons for the following key topics which may be relevant in various ways and at different times for flood preparedness, relief and recovery:
Lesson 1 “ Flood risk reduction
Lesson 2 “ Building ownership and engaging with local capacity
Lesson 3 “ Needs assessment
Lesson 4 “ Targeting and monitoring
Lesson 5 “ Livelihoods recovery
Lesson 6 “ Local economy and market
Lesson 7 “ Water, sanitation and health
Lesson 8 “ Shelter and housing
Lesson 9 “ Managing nationwide response and coordination
In this paper the term ˜flood(s)' is used to refer to flood as a hazard or phenomenon. ˜Flooding' refers to the disastrous impact of the flood. Many of the lessons presented in the paper can reasonably be applied to hazards in general, however others are flood-specific.
While the paper focuses on relief and recovery, it starts with risk reduction and lessons for incorporating flood prevention and preparedness activities to avoid ˜vicious spirals' in disaster risk and development failure (DFID, 2005). This briefing paper provides a synthesis of and introduction to key lessons from evaluations of relief and recovery/humanitarian response to flooding in the last 20 years from Africa, Asia and the Americas. The paper is intended for people working in relief and recovery operations for floods “ those who have to decide if, when and how to intervene.
The paper covers lessons for the following key topics which may be relevant in various ways and at different times for flood preparedness, relief and recovery:
Lesson 1 “ Flood risk reduction
Lesson 2 “ Building ownership and engaging with local capacity
Lesson 3 “ Needs assessment
Lesson 4 “ Targeting and monitoring
Lesson 5 “ Livelihoods recovery
Lesson 6 “ Local economy and market
Lesson 7 “ Water, sanitation and health
Lesson 8 “ Shelter and housing
Lesson 9 “ Managing nationwide response and coordination
In this paper the term ˜flood(s)' is used to refer to flood as a hazard or phenomenon. ˜Flooding' refers to the disastrous impact of the flood. Many of the lessons presented in the paper can reasonably be applied to hazards in general, however others are flood-specific.
While the paper focuses on relief and recovery, it starts with risk reduction and lessons for incorporating flood prevention and preparedness activities to avoid ˜vicious spirals' in disaster risk and development failure (DFID, 2005).