Disasters, Relief Emergencies Type of Disasters Algeria Egypt Morocco Tunisia Earthquake. Rafah July 04 Closure of the Palestinians borders

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1 Disaster Management During 2004, the National Societies in the region made considerable progress in Disaster Management. This created the basis on which to continue to further develop and reinforce the capacities of the National Societies to effectively fulfill their mandates as auxiliaries to their governments. The three countries which are involved in the Community Based Disaster Management project funded by the Swiss Government (SDC) have used the project activities to create opportunities for partnerships with key actors within their respective countries, as well as to increase their image and credibility vis-à-vis their partners and the local communities. Owing to the fact that the general disaster management programme was designed subsequent to a detailed assessment of their capacities and needs, the Regional Office was able to undertake targeted and focused activities with the National Societies. During the course of these activities, opportunities to coordinate with representatives of Participating National Societies present in the region were used to increase impact and maximize resources; as well as representatives of international and regional organizations. This coordinated approach was also evident in the response to the emergency events which occurred in the region during the year. Joint activities were also implemented with the ICRC. Disasters, Relief Emergencies 2004 Type of Disasters Algeria Egypt Morocco Tunisia Earthquake Monitoring of the rehabilitation plan (May 2003 Earthquake) December 5 4,7 Tremor on Richter scale creating Population Panic Movement Floods Wilaya d Adrar, - May 2004 Cold Wave Population Movement Technological disasters Bomb explosion Insecurity problems Skikdah, Gas explosion Feb 2004 Despite a real improvement, the situation remains problematic in few regions Rafah July 04 Closure of the Palestinians borders Use of DREF Tabah Oct. 04 Bombing of an hotel Al Hoceima May 2004 Emergency Appeal launched Torrnado _ Kelibia Oct. 04 Use of DREF Several districts Nov 04

2 Expected Results 1. Disaster Management structures have been established in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt to implement plans of action and coordinate DP/DR activities. Even though the institutional issues in Algeria and Morocco have not been addressed, both National Societies have worked with their current structures and have been very active in preparedness and response activities during the year. Both National Societies have effectively coordinated their work with the Participating National Societies, as well as other actors in the rehabilitation phase of the Boumerdes (May 2003)and Al Hoceima (February 2004) earthquakes. The Tunisian Red Crescent has also continued to mobilise and carry out important activities in response and preparedness, especially within the frame of the Swiss Government (SDC) funded project. This has allowed them to engage with important partners at various levels. The Egyptian Red Crescent, while also not adopting a formal structure, undertook important response activities during the year. A project proposal for a more comprehensive and structured disaster management programme was finalised, and will be implemented in 2005 in coordination with the ICRC and other partners. Logistics training was carried out in Morocco and Algeria for staff and volunteers. Logistical procedures were also instituted in these National Societies. Disaster management materials have been translated (some with the support of the ICRC s regional office in Cairo), as well as purchased (Sphere handbooks) and made available to National Societies. DM stocks valued at CHF 21,300 were provided to the Tunisian Red Crescent to support its winter operations. 2. Contingency plans have been formulated in Tunisia and Algeria and harmonized with their respective national disaster preparedness plans. The Algerian Red Crescent (ARC) continued to be involved with the authorities in the revision of the national plan. The operational procedures which were developed were further worked on during the year, and will be revised and further updated during The Tunisian Red Crescent completed its disaster management strategy, and began to use it in training events and meetings with staff and volunteers. Al Hoceima Earthquake Morocco (February 2004)

3 3. National Societies have been made fully aware of available Federation disaster management tools and mechanisms. Resulting from their experiences with disaster events during the year, the National Societies gained valuable experience and understanding of the various tools. FACT and ERUs used in Algeria in 2003, and in Morocco in DREF was used in Morocco (February 2004) and Egypt (July 2004). DMIS was used to provide information in the initial stages of the Morocco and Kelibia (Tunisia) earthquake and tornado respectively. In addition to the cases afore - cited, awareness sessions were done constantly and at all levels of the National Societies to continue to build awareness. 4. National Societies have improved their capacity in community based disaster preparedness programmes by using the VCA as a tool for better planning and programming at the community level. More than 100 staff and volunteers in Morocco and Tunisia which are implementing the community project funded by the Swiss Government received VCA training during this reporting period. The Director of the Benghazi Branch of the Libyan Red Crescent was trained as an instructor in the global training of trainers workshop which was held in Spain in July. 5. VCA studies have been conducted in Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Libya As a follow-up to the training workshops, VCA studies began in pilot communities in Morocco (Beni Mellal) and Tunisia, in close coordination with their partners. In the case of the Beni Mellal committee, the results of the VCA are being awaited by the Wali and the Regional Council, who will use them to update an assessment which was carried out some time ago. The Libyan Red Crescent is yet to organise its VCA study, despite original plans. This will be followed up in Community based disaster reduction projects have been designed to integrate social aspects (first aid, psychological support, educational programmes) and implemented in Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia begun the implementation of inte grated community based project during Training and public education materials were produced in Algeria and Morocco, in collaboration with local partners. The Algerian Red Crescent reproduced 30,000 copies of the earthquake awareness brochure which was developed with the Spanish Red Cross project, and used these to continue its campaign to change the approach and behaviour of persons residing in high risk areas. An Earthquake Guide for Teachers, a Rescuer s Guide on Psychological Support, Posters and TV spots of 30 and 10 seconds with earthquake awareness messages were also developed during the year. The Egyptian Red Crescent continued to implement its projects in various parts of the country during In November, it inaugurated another phase of its housing project in Zeinhom.

4 7. National Societies in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt have clarified their role with regard to the national response plans and subsequently have increased their coordination capacities with the communities, local authorities and other key partners involved in disaster management. The Tunisian Red Crescent signed formal cooperation agreements with the National Adult Training Programme and the Scouts Association during the summer. This created further opportunities for collaboration in public education activities, as well as simulation exercises. The National Society also observed World Water Day in collaboration with the UN agencies and specialised bodies (UNDP, UNHCR, FAO), as well as the local authorities. i. The Algerian Red Crescent is still awaiting the finalisation of the revision of the national plan (Plan ORSEC), which has taken longer than originally anticipated to complete. Nonetheless, the national Society undertook several activities with key partners. Among these are the training of 16 volunteers in Disaster Medicine in France, in collaboration with UNDP, as well as the development of teaching and public education materials for the community based (SDC) project. ii. The inter-sectorial coordination committee in which the Moroccan Red Crescent actively participated earlier in the year was not very active during the later months. However, the National Society began many activities with their local partners. A formal agreement for cooperation in disaster management awareness raising was concluded with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Land Management; the launch of the World Disasters Report for 2004 was launched with this Ministry, as well as UNDP, Civil Protection and other partners; land was obtained for the construction of a regional disaster management centre in Casablanca, similar to the one which was begun in Oujda (north-east Morocco) as part of the Al Hoceima rehabilitation project. Impact Given the increased human resource capacity in the Regional Office which resulted from the recruitment of a Disaster Management Delegate, and a Logistics specialist, increased support in disaster management was provided to the National Societies. This proved to be rather timely, as it was a very busy year with the occurrence of various disaster and emergency events. Thematic working groups were also established, to facilitate the exchange of experience and the creation of a regional identity among the National Societies which are involved in the SDC project, as an initial step. The various disaster management mechanisms of the Secretariat were used to support the National Societies as needed, thereby increasing their awareness and understanding of these mechanisms. Increased networking with other international players (INSARAG, UNDP, WHO, etc) has begun during this reporting period. The launch of the World Disaster Report led to an increase in the profile of the Secretariat, as well as the Moroccan Red Crescent. This event also provided opportunities for networking and possible cooperation with other actors. Egypt/Rafah, ERCS volunteers dealing with Press in the wake of violence

5 Constraints Institutional problems, as well as the centralised structure in some of the National Societies have delayed the decision making process, especially as it related to the establishment of formal disaster management structures. This lack of structure has resulted in difficulties being encountered in the follow-up of some activities; as well as the linkage of activities to generate greater impact. Delays in the processes of revision of disaster management plans in Morocco and Algeria have resulted in both National Societies being unable to ascertain their roles in these plans. The Libyan Red Crescent has not been very active in disaster management activities during the year. The discussions which were held during the mission in April 2004, did not produce any results, despite numerous attempts at follow up. The representative of the WHO Vulnerability Reduction Centre who was a member of the disaster management thematic group which the regiona l office initiated in collaboration with the UNDP did not return to Tunisia after the summer break, causing the loss of a very active member. Lessons learnt The activities which were carried out in 2004 within the region provided the foundation to develop the disaster management capacity of the National Societies. While there have been a number of inherent challenges, a lot has been achieved. The regional programme has supported the creation or further development of linkages between and among the National Societies; as well as with important partners. The various emergency and disaster events allowed the National Societies to continue to refine and update its response procedures and tools, as well as further cemented the solidarity which exists among the National Societies. The community based disaster management project being implemented in three countries within the region (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) has complemented the objectives of the appeal, and has started to develop the structures necessary within the target National Societies to allow them to more effectively work towards the reinforcement of their capacities, as they seek to increase the disaster management capacity and reduce the vulnerability of communities in high risk areas.