Ten Commandments:
Key Issues in Planning a
humanitarian response
Planning & Managing Humanitarian Response
• The world faced 200 natural calamities in
the 2nd half of the 20th century.
•More than 1.4 million people lost their
lives in these disasters
• 90% of the casualties resulted from the
floods & cyclones
• During 1991-2002, 5,31,159 persons were
killed by natural disasters (Center for Research on
Epidemology of Disasters(CRED) Belgium)
• 26th Dec. 2003, Bam Earthquake claimed
26271 lives
• 26th Dec. 2004, Asian Tsunami resulted in
more than 1,75,000 casualties
• From January to
October 2005 some
97,490 people died
because of disasters
around the world,
88,117 of them
because of natural
disasters.
•(Photo by Armando Waak/PAHO)
*Source: BMTPC Vulnerability Atlas of India
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
1. Identify Needs
So that appropriate measures could be adopted
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
2. Get right people at
right places
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
3.Define Responsibilities
• In such a way that a clear role is outlined for
every individual within an operation &
appropriate coordination mechanism is
established.
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
4. Be Flexible &
Respond to Changing
Needs & Aspirations
• What is appropriate now, may vary with
time!
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
5. Identify Standards
• Standards reflect special needs
• Basic minimum must be given.
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
6. Always Remember
Longer Term Objectives
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
7. Involve People…at all
stages of planning &
implementation
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
8. Be Aware of SocioEconomic Roles of Men,
Women & Children
• How they will affect & be affected by the
planned activities...
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
9. Do Not Treat Issues
In Isolation
• Practice a Multi-sectoral approach
• Coordinate,coordinate,coordinate
Key Issues in Planning a
Humanitarian Response
10. Monitor & Evaluate
Effectiveness of
Response