Disaster survivors prove more resilient than aid agencies expect
(Halifax, October 28, 2004) — Supporting community resilience is the key to reducing the impact of disasters. The resilience and capacity of disaster-affected people to cope with apparently hopeless situations is the main theme of the World Disasters Report 2004, published by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and launched today by the Canadian Red Cross.
The Report, in its 12th year of publication, highlights the impressive capacity of people from across the developing – and developed – world to cope with even the worst situations. The Report underlines the necessity for the aid community to put a much stronger emphasis on assessing local strengths and resources, rather than focusing just on need or vulnerability. Failure to include communities in disaster mitigation and response can undermine their resilience to risks.
“We have learned both here at home and overseas that the best way to protect people from the impact of disasters is to develop local resilience and capacity to respond and implement disaster preparedness programs,” said John Byrne, General Manager, Canadian Red Cross, Atlantic Zone. “Without the local knowledge, determination, partnerships, cooperation and resources, we would have never been able to respond to the floods in Badger, Newfoundland or Hurricane Juan that struck Nova Scotia last year.”
Hurricane Juan
Nova Scotia was hit with a category 2 hurricane in September 2003, resulting in massive damage throughout the province and leaving approximately 350,000 people without power for several days. The Canadian Red Cross deployed Emergency Response Teams from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to provide assistance to approximately 30,000 people over the course of twelve days, helping vulnerable people with one of the largest disasters ever experienced in Nova Scotia.
Haiti
The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere has continued be one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters. Last May it suffered major flash flooding and was devastated again in September when Tropical Storm Jeanne lashed Gonaives. Although international aid agencies play a major role in the country, it is the rebuilding and strengthening of the Haitian Red Cross that is crucial to minimizing the impact of disasters on the local population.
Bam earthquake
The Bam (Iran) earthquake, in December 2003, killed some 30,000 people, injured another 30,000 and destroyed 85 per cent of the city’s buildings. While 34 international rescue teams found 22 people alive, local Red Crescent volunteers saved nearly 160 lives. Neighbours and volunteers from other provinces and local organizations saved hundreds more.
The Report underlines that the time has come to dispel the myth of helpless victims. After decades of rhetoric it is now time for action: aid organizations must build on the resources and resilience found in disaster-prone communities or risk undermining those capacities further.
The Canadian Red Cross is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. Since it was established more than 100 years ago, the Canadian Red Cross has become part of the nation’s social fabric, providing disaster relief, water safety programs, first aid training, community home care, violence and abuse prevention services and international assistance. For more information on the Canadian Red Cross, please visit our website at www.redcross.ca.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Suzanne Charest
Canadian Red Cross
Tel.: (613) 740-1928
Cel.: (613) 222-6196
