CARIBBEAN: Lessons Learnt in Emergency Preparedness

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Summary: This case study is part of a compilation by Save the Children UK of lessons learnt in contributing to a national rights-based legal and policy framework for children. Similar reports for Bulgaria and Egypt will be made available on the CRIN website in the coming months.Save the Children UK’s programme in Central American and the Caribbean, created in 1974, has contributed to a national child rights framework, leading to dramatic changes for children and young people. The programme closed in March 2007, and its legacy continues through Save the Children’s partners through out the region.

This is a record of lessons learnt, challenges identified and recommendations made from Save the Children’s experiences over the last five years for all those involved in child rights and development work.

Emergency preparedness in the Caribbean

The Emergency Preparedness programme supported the development of institutional capacities of local partners in the prevention, preparation for and response to emergencies. Trainings emphasised the need to protect children during emergency situations, and provided tools for doing so.

Lessons learnt:

  • Best practice in the face of a potential emergency is simply to be ready.
  • Planning and organisation for a coordinated response is essential
  • Teams and resources should be set up in advance
  • Emergency preparedness efforts should include an up-to-date price index for items likely to be needed in an emergency so purchases can be made quickl
  • Simulations of emergency situations are useful in raising awareness of children, not only helping them to seek safety, but also increasing their self-esteem and leadership skills.
  • The formal and public education system are good for a for awareness raising and leadership development for disaster prevention
  • In countries like Cuba, which have a difficult relationship with the US, NGOs should make an effort to maintain good relations with the government to facilitate the administration of aid in emergencies.
  • Cutlurally sensitive instruction was more effective than bringing in foreign consultants who did not have a clear understanding of the context.

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pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/Save_UK_EP.pdf

Organisation: 
Save the Children UK
Attachment Link: 
http://www.crin.org/docs/Save_UK_EP.pdf

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