Coordinating Humanitarian Aid for a Change in Cuba

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Neal Rich
8 years ago
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1 Coordinating Humanitarian Aid for a Change in Cuba Facilitated by: The American Red Cross of Greater Miami and the Florida Keys The Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, University of Miami Situation Analysis Two recent reports dealing with the impact of a change in the government of Cuba have identified the need for a more coordinated approach for the humanitarian aid that will be required when there is a transition in Cuba. The two reports are: The Trade Impact of a Free Cuba, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and Humanitarian Aid for a Democratic Transition in Cuba, Cuba Transition Project, The Institute for Cuban & Cuban-American Studies, University of Miami. The American Red Cross of Greater Miami and the Florida Keys in conjunction with the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami have agreed to jointly sponsor a project that will assemble the organizations and agencies that will have an interest humanitarian aid during a transition in Cuba. Once assembled, this group will prepare a set of plans to ensure that South Florida can respond with effective and efficient humanitarian aid, when needed. Based on prior experiences with other mass migrations and similar human tragedies and crisis events, the organizers acknowledge the important role that proper preparation and coordination of efforts plays in ensuring that any and all humanitarian responses are effective and efficient in reaching their goals. Preparedness in this instance will include facilitating an open dialog among the interested organizations and agencies that will identify issues, concerns and opportunities at a time that will also allow for discussion, answers and agreements well before the plan is implemented. Clearly, South Florida s geographic position and vested interest in the future of Cuba will place the community in a leadership and pivotal role during a transition in Cuba. With a community-developed preparedness plan in place, South Florida will be able to act like a well oiled machine when the time comes, which, in turn, will make the administration of humanitarian aid from the community swifter and more effective. 1

required when there is a transition in Cuba.

2 Topics open for discussion include the following: Humanitarian core concepts: Neutrality, Impartiality, etc. Sphere Project Minimum Standards Best Practices: helpful versus unhelpful aid, M&E, etc. Importance of Preparedness Cuban sovereignty and the importance of supporting Cubans on the island Organizational concerns: USAID registration, funding documentation, administrative issues Mentoring and/or forming strategic alliances Scope The scope of this plan is non-political and is meant to bring a greater degree of humanitarian thought leadership and coordination within the various non-governmental and governmental organizations that will have an interest in providing humanitarian aid both to the residents of Cuba and to Cubans who might travel to South Florida following a significant change in the leadership of the Cuban government. The plan that will be created will have both short-term and long-term implications. At inception, the plan has identified four major categories of humanitarian aid that could be required. Each of these plans are likely to require their own plan of action. They are: 1/ Coordinating humanitarian aid within South Florida to residents of Cuba who flee Cuba and arrive in the region. 2/ Coordinating humanitarian aid from South Florida to the residents of Cuba who remain in Cuba, including family members in South Florida with concerns about family members in Cuba. 3/ Humanitarian aid emanating from other parts of the State of Florida, most notably Broward and Palm Beach Counties and the Tampa Bay area. 4/ National and International humanitarian aid that could involve staging or require other support from South Florida. Vision To coordinate an efficient and effective humanitarian response in the event of a change in Cuba 2

and/or forming strategic alliances Scope The scope of this plan is non-political and is meant to bring a greater degree of humanitarian thought leadership and coordination within the various

3 Objective To prepare a plan of action that will help ensure that the communities of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties are fully prepared to deliver non-political humanitarian aid in an effective and efficient manner wherever it will be needed in the event of a change in the current government of Cuba Strategies Develop and implement a process that will identify and assemble the government and non-governmental agencies and organizations that will have an interest in providing humanitarian aid following a change in Cuba. Facilitate the process to ensure that a community-wide preparedness plan is developed to include the following: o a definition of humanitarian aid. o a process for how the assessment of humanitarian need will be conducted. o training and counseling to non-government organizations that desire to provide humanitarian aid o a process to monitor and update the plan on a regular basis. o Facilitate an ongoing community-wide dialogue to address questions and concerns prior to the implementation of any humanitarian aid following a change in Cuba. Maintain a non-political, humanitarian-focused approach throughout the process. 3

non-governmental agencies and organizations that will have an interest in providing humanitarian aid following a change in Cuba.

4 Key Audiences Primary Audiences: All non-government organizations (NGOs) in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties that have, or will have, plans to provide humanitarian aid in the event of a change in Cuba. Government agencies that operate locally and that will have an active role in the event of a change. The Cuban-American community in the region. Secondary or Influencer Audiences: Government officials in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties as well as the State of Florida and the United States Government. The news media in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. Businesses within the two counties. Tactics Conduct a series of summits on the subject, including the following: o December 6 th introductory summit at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies. This session will present the concept of the program to interested parties. o Monthly sessions to continue the process. Develop a definition of humanitarian aid. Definition to include parameters around the following: o Medical o Food o Shelter 4

Secondary or Influencer Audiences: Government officials in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties as well as the State of Florida and the United States Government.

5 o Infrastructure o Money o Volunteers o Psycho-social services Develop a process for how the assessment of humanitarian need will be conducted. Determine threshold events that will, or could cause the implementation of humanitarian aid. Provide training and counseling to non-government organizations that desire to provide humanitarian aid. During the brain storming sessions, identify questions that need to be addressed by the community. Keep track of these questions and develop a process to make sure that each is addressed by the appropriate person or persons. Capture the outcome of these questions and their agreed to answers as key elements of the overall plan. Develop a communications plan to support the process of developing this plan as well as to support its implementation. This plan will include developing websites from the American Red Cross and the Institute for Cuban and Cuba-American Studies. Develop a community-wide preparedness plan or plans, possible based on the four categories of humanitarian needs presented here: o Humanitarian aid within South Florida to residents of Cuba who flee Cuba and arrive in the region. 5

During the brain storming sessions, identify questions that need to be addressed by the community.

6 o Humanitarian aid from South Florida to the residents of Cuba who remain in Cuba. o Humanitarian aid emanating from other parts of the State of Florida, most notably Broward and Palm Beach Counties and the Tampa Bay area. o National and International humanitarian aid that could involve staging or require other support from South Florida. Develop a process to monitor, measure and update the plan on a regular basis. 6

Weather: National Hurricane Center South Florida Weather Forecast Office 305-229-4550 Local Time and Temperature 305-324-8811

Police (Non-Emergencies) North Miami Beach 305-949-5500 Miami-Dade County 305-476-5423 Weather: National Hurricane Center South Florida Weather Forecast Office 305-229-4550 Local Time and Temperature 305-324-8811