20090918-non discrimination in disaster response
DESCRIPTION
Part of a series of Development Practice Discussions I instigated in 2009, for Oxfam GB in Pakistan. These sessions were aimed at building critical thinking skills and encouraging peer review of our work within a world's best practice framework.TRANSCRIPT
Non-discrimination in disaster response
Screening of a documentaryby
Mexican Red CrossProduced during their responseto the 2007 floods in Tabasco
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-Yu8Dh1LY)
Second in a series of
Development Practice Discussionsfacilitated by Chris Wardle
Oxfam Meeting Room, Islamabad, Pakistan.18 September 2009
Non-discrimination in disaster response
Development Practice Discussion Aim:
To reflect on Red Cross Mexico’s approach toa) Prioritising support for the elderly and disabled in humanitarian emergencies; andb) Empowering women volunteers; then
c) Consider Oxfam's approach to these issues in Pakistan and what we can learn from the Mexican experience.
Enjoy the short video from Mexican Red Crosshttp://bit.ly/p26WKJthen let's discuss ...
A quick recap …
Core facts:• Every year 26 million older people are
affected by disasters.
• Persons with disabilities are twice as vulnerable during disasters.
A quick recap …
Success strategies used by Red Cross:
• Promoting respect at the community level.
• Assistance based on need and vulnerability.
• Prioritisation of elderly and disabled and mechanism for their easy identification.
• Consultation with community leaders about the location of the most vulnerable.
Quote-able quotes on discrimination in the workplace …
• "The real problem lies on how people think, not in how much strength we might or might not have.”
• “When we’re really well prepared, we can do anything.”
• “The answer to this discrimination must be dialogue, openness and understanding.Discrimination thrives in the shadows;we need to chase those shadows away.”
Development practice discussion:
What are our core principles and values in Oxfam?“The Red Cross and Red Crescent movement promotes
respect for diversity and non-discrimination”
Development practice discussion:
What are our core principles and values in Oxfam?“The Red Cross and Red Crescent movement promotes
respect for diversity and non-discrimination”
Participant input:1) Oxfam’s Code of Conduct2) Humanitarian Principles:
– Humanity;– Impartiality;– Neutrality; and– Independence.
Development practice discussion:
Where are the synergies with Oxfam’s approach to emergency support - what are we doing well?
Development practice discussion:
Where are the synergies with Oxfam’s approach to emergency support - what are we doing well?
Participant input:Transparency in selection and community involvement.Adopting an empowerment approach.Result-oriented – always looking for impact.Need-based and discrimination free.Neutral.
Development practice discussion:
Where are the synergies with Oxfam’s approach to emergency support - How can we improve and how will we change it for next time?
Development practice discussion:Where are the synergies with Oxfam’s approach to emergency support – What can we improve and how will we change it for next time?Participant input:
Improve what?• Access to community and security
issues.
• Staff interpretation of policy in the face of “Tribal prioritisation”.
How?• Closer links with local
implementing partners (IP’s) but not transferring risk to the IP.
• Transparency• Build community awareness of
need-based response.• “Get the community to bring the
most vulnerable to the front.”
Development practice discussion:Where are the synergies with Oxfam’s approach to emergency support – What can we improve and how will we change it for next time?Participant input:
Improve what?• Acceptance of Oxfam and negative
“non-Muslim” stereotyping.
How?• Proactive engagement on difficult
issues with “nay-sayers”.• Advocate and build political
support at the highest levels.• Be prepared for the long haul, with
consistent human resources.• Increase visibility.• Develop case studies based on
better-accepted NGOs.
Development practice discussion:Where are the synergies with Oxfam’s approach to emergency support – What can we improve and how will we change it for next time?Participant input:
Improve what?• Long-term sustainability
How?• Strengthen relationships with and
capacity of Government.• Build common understanding of
programme milestones and exit strategy.
• Facilitate movement from emergency support to core development strategy areas.
Development practice discussion:Where are the synergies with Oxfam’s approach to emergency support – What can we improve and how will we change it for next time?Participant input:
Improve what?• Distribution for the sake of
distribution.
How?• Needs-based.• Appropriate NFIs.• Teach how to use appropriately and
the hazards of misuse.
Development practice discussion:
• Did you notice any interesting tools for building social cohesion?Billboards with a positive focus:“Let’s rebuild Tabasco with its spirit intact.”“The waters go down and solidarity rises”“Nothing can take away Tabasco’s spirit”Contrast these with a commonly seen sign in
Pakistan:“ A strong democracy in the best revenge”
Coming up next time …Oxfam and external resources on Climate
Change including a TED talk by
byWildlife PhotographerJames Balog
"Each new series represents a quantum leap in creativity …… He is a visionary and his works are like sacred objects."
Third in a series of
Development Practice DiscussionsOxfam Meeting Room, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Date and Time: tba