Inherent in disaster management is developing response and an essential element of response is contingency planning. In general, contingency planning is defined as anticipated emergency preparedness to be followed in an anticipated or eventual disaster, based on risk assessment, availability of human and material resources, community preparedness, capacity to local and international response, etc. That definition sets the frame as we put on our thinking hats. As we prepare for the monsoon rains to come and the possibility of flooding again, the question at the back of our minds will be: how do we prepare for the worst? Together and in solidarity, all stakeholders involved in disaster management must develop a contingency plan on how to address and minimize the risks of these natural disasters to lives and property.
Contingency planning sessions could build mitigation measures to control development damage through such natural calamities. Lessons learned from previous disaster response operations could provide the basic guidelines to ensure that current contingency plans are on track. Once the contingency plan is finalized, as soon as the disaster occurs, the event triggers the implementation of the contingency plan itself, which has been formulated with the agreed common strategy. (i) Over the years, there has been a paradigm shift in disaster management from disaster response to disaster risk reduction, reflected in proactive action prior to the onset of calamity. When developing contingency plans, you work through worst-case scenarios to meet advance planning needs for disaster risk reduction.
Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, through their humanitarian assistance mandate and principles, are regularly involved in the management of serious emergencies, including natural disasters. To ensure the organization’s preparedness and adequate arrangements are made in anticipation of an emergency, the common management tool comprised contingency and response planning. Thoughtful planning could go a long way in ensuring the prompt and efficient delivery of the resource needs of any disaster, wherever it occurs.
In order to achieve a satisfactory level of preparedness for a timely and effective response to a natural disaster, the disaster response plan involves identifying disaster risks, vulnerabilities, impact, resources, and organizational capacities. In addition, it involves the determination of roles and responsibilities, the formulation of policies and procedures, and the planning of activities. This is in a broader perspective and allows to identify gaps and needs. Contingency planning focuses more on addressing responses and actions geared to specific disaster scenarios. (ii)
Since contingency planning addresses individual specific events that are known risks at the local, national, or regional level, formulation requires the participation of stakeholders at the associated levels. Contingency plans blend well with operations management in terms of managing anticipated resource requirements, available resources, and deficits or gaps.
With extreme weather disasters becoming the emerging feature of this decade, and the horrific experience of Typhoon Morakot (Philippines, Taiwan) and the Istanbul flash floods are still fresh in our minds, any flood risk alert should not be taken with a pinch of salt. Preparedness ensures that by expecting the worst flood-prone areas, they are expected to have a higher than normal flood risk in different locations and to a greater extent than the previous experience. The scenarios developed for the possible natural disaster will indicate the potential impact of such event. Floods, for example, often destroy houses and other property, leading to displacement of the flood-affected population. Therefore, contingency planning could anticipate the provision of both food and non-food relief to alleviate human suffering resulting from displacement. The displaced suffer the loss of their belongings and household goods due to the floods. Contingency plans analyze emergency shelter requirements with the goal of protecting those affected from avoidable risks and vulnerabilities from the elements. (Iii)
References:
(i) PDCC Kalinga approves disaster contingency plan. June 12, 2009. Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
(ii) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Contingency planning and disaster response planning.
(iii) Flood contingency plan for the 2007 main rainy season in Ethiopia. August 2007. Addis Ababa.