Americas Zone Reference Centres Annual Report 2012

Americas Zone Reference Centre
Annual Report 2012
Reference Centre for Community Resilience CRREC
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Costa Rican Red Cross
Address: Barrio Naciones Unidas, Casa #1559 Postal Address: Ave. 36 - Calle 15 #083. San Jos San Jos - Catedral. 10104 - Costa Rica Tel: (506) 2226-4092 / 2528-0200 Fax (506) 2226-6634/ 2528-0205 Contacts: jose.zuniga@ifrc.org
Host National Society:
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Americas Zone / Reference Center for Community Resilience Annual Report 2012
Promoting Community Resilience in the National Societies

Mission
The Reference Center for Community Resilience is a tool of the Federations Secretariat to support the American National Societies which is based in a National Society and which works towards reducing vulnerability through the development of methodologies, tools and harmonization processes, thanks to the contribution, knowledge and experiences of the different Red Crosses of the Zone.
Vision
Turn the Reference Center for Community Resilience into a technical unit highly efficient and effective in the development of methodologies, tools, processes for disasters reduction and for the exchange of experiences and good practices to the service of the Red Cross National Societies worldwide.
Work Tables at a Protected School / CRREC 2012
Work Methodologies
VCA Methodology Social Micro Projects Basic Training Aptitudes Protected School Early Alert Sytem Internships Consultancy Additional activities
Who are we?

The CRREC (acronym for Centro de Referencia para la Resilencia Communitaria Reference Center for Community Resilience) is a center specialized in the investigation, systematization, validation and analysis of methodoligies for community education. Mainly in topics related with prevention, preparation, mitigation and early alert. In this context, the center is a tool fo the International Federation of Red Cross to the service of the National Societies and other parties involved in the topic of Reducing Risks at the community level and to benefit the inhabitants of vulnerable communities in countries in America.
What is the CRREC target population?

It is addressed mainly to serve the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Non-Governmental Organizations, government organizations and others. The products obtained are the result of the work and effort of the volunteers on the National Societies through technical practicum, harmonization or preparation of teaching materials for good practices at the local level and adapting them to the continental context, offering in this was theoretical-practical tools that can be used collectively. At the same time, work is being done in the continuous education of facilitators from the National Societies that are a continental RED which makes possible the understanding of the present and future demand of education processes, consultancy missions, and training modules development, among other activities.
CRREC Personnel
Coordination Jos Ziga-Valencia Technical Administrative Assistant Beatriz Bonilla-Morales
Technical Support
Volunteers and personnel of the International Federation Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Secretariat of the Federation. Red Cross International Committee, Participant National Societies, UNICEF, Non-governmental Organizations (GOs), Government Organizations (GOs), and others.
Activities by Work Methodology

A. Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) Methodology
The vulnerability and capacity assessment is an investigation that uses several participative tools to understand the level of exposure of the local population and its resistance capacity to natural phenomena. This methodology is an integral part (but not the only one) for disasters preparedness and it can contribute to the creation of community readiness programs in case of disasters in rural and urban areas. As part of the process, the VCA facilitates people to identify and to understand priority risks, even though they are not natural phenomena. In this context, the VCA has become a tool that allows defining local priorities and proposing actions to contribute to disasters reduction; as well as to formulate and develop programs in each of the priority areas. During 2012, work was done to incorporate the risk focus in urban contexts to the VCA methodology. For 2013 the purpose is to have a version of the methodology adapted to the risk in urban contexts and means of living. Also, during this period work was developed in the CD for the VCA systematization, which is available in three languages: Spanish, English and Creole. It is important to point out that the Haiti Red Cross offered its support through the ECHO Project, executed together with the International Federation of Red Cross.
B. Social Micro Projects

Social micro projects promote the development of standardized community projects for all National Societies, using a simple tool that fulfills the minimum requirements established by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They use the experiences lived by the participants and facilitators which are related with the applications of models to identify, formulate, execute and assess community micro projects. The purpose is to promote a process of collective knowledge construction which will improve the abilities of each of the participants. The result of the formation process in the different National Societies is the following:
Social Micro Projects

National Society Costa Rican Red Cross Costa Rican Red Cross Haiti Red Cross Haiti Red Cross Nicaraguan Red Cross Dominican Red Cross Total Participants 19 14 27 75 20 25 180
C. Basic Training Aptitudes

This tool was created due to the need to form facilitators who can face different scenarios during the workshops. It allows the personnel who work in the training area to strengthen their abilities and skills to design and implement courses or workshops about different topics and with different participants. During 2012 training was given to National Societies as well as to Non-Governmental Organizations who have lately expressed interest in the training offered by the Reference Center. It is important to mention that some of the training sessions required French translation
Basic Training Aptitudes

National Society Haiti Red Cross Haiti Red Cross Nicaraguan Red Cross Total Participants 22 24 28 74
D. Protected School
Protected School is a tool which facilitates to National Societies and other parties to develop a risk reduction plan in the educational centers. The methodology used includes theoretical presentations of each of the topics by 2 facilitators of the technical equipment of the Project, as well as one representative of the CRREC. Practical exercises were developed using as a reference the information of the schools in the community of the area. The final product of the training is shared with the representatives of the schools where the diagnoses were applied. This information promotes the search of practical solutions for the educational centers. It is important to mention that during 2012 this tool was updated. The difference between the action plan and the response strategy in the educational center was clarified. This action plan is the element that differentiates the Protected School from other tools that have other organizations and institutions that work with the topic of risk reduction and response to disasters.
Protected School
National Society Honduran Red Cross Nicaraguan Red Cross Total 8 Participants 22 28 50
E. Early Warning Systems:

This tool facilitates the development of an early alert system in case of a flood. It will require the minimum of technology and it could be managed directly by the community. In a simple way it explains the hydrological analysis, the design of the monitoring system and of the flow prediction, the pluviometric and hydrometric monitoring, flows prediction and early alert for local communities near minor river basins. The manual offers enough information to be considered as part of training workshops which together with the initial support of an expert in hydrology will provide communities the opportunity to design, build, install and monitor the measuring instruments (pluviometers and rivers scales). The success of the development of this early alert system for floods is based on the participation of all the community members. They will be the ones implementing the necessary steps described in the manual to operate the system.
Early Warning System

National Society Honduran Red Cross Honduran Red Cross Total Participants 26 28 54
F. Internships
This is a service the Reference Center offers to the National Societies, projects partners and organizations and institutions that work on topics related with Community Resilience. It involves the participation of one person or several people in the CRREC activities organized in different countries. Objectives: Promote the exchange of experiences among the different parties. This will allow the development of collective knowledge through participation and network job. Types: Training: the intern or interns come to CRREC to receive some type of education or information which is offered by the personnel at the center. Facilitation: the intern or interns are part of Centers facilitation team. Depending on the profile, it can be a facilitator or a co-facilitator of the activity or workshop. Tools or materials preparation: people involved are part of a process which allows them to contribute with the composition, design, revision or adaptation of any material or tool for the CRREC or for any other party.
Internships
National Society Finnish Red Cross IPR Technical Internship Haiti Red Cross Honduran Red Cross Total Participants 2 2 6 2 12
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G. Consultancy
This implies support, follow-up and accompaniment of activities related with the work areas of the CRREC, within the context of programs and projects executed by National Societies, organizations and institutions. It also allows the development of methodologies, tools and instruments that promote community education and resilience increase at the most vulnerable zones. Objective: Help the different parties execute activities by strengthening mainly the methodological and technical aspects. Offer accompaniment to programs and projects for the implementation of innovative methodologies and tools which will facilitate the involvement of the different parties. Description: CRREC offers consultancy services in several topics related with: modules of the series It is Better to Prevent, Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis, Risk in Urban Contexts, Life Media, Early Alert Systems, Community Resilience, among others. Consultancies can include the preparation of digital tools, such as: interactive or systematization CDs, audio or video messages, and games, among others. Methodological tools such as: modules, guides, lesson plans, and posters, among others. The consultancy is established in common agreement with the parties involved. The reference terms are established and they include: objectives, results, activities, time, and costs. During 2012, CRREC offered several consultancies to National Societies such as: Nicaraguan, Honduran and Costa Rican Red Cross. There were also some consultancies offered to NGOs, for instance: CARE, International Plan and OXFAM.
H. Additional Activities:
Additional to the processes developed as part of its work lines, CRREC participated in other activities. Participation in the Project First Response Initiative-IPR/FRI: CRREC has offered support and technical support to the activities of the IPR project. The four countries that are executing the project have requested them. The most relevant activities are:
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Participation in the meetings of the Regional Technical Committee of the IPR Project: during the second year of the Project implementation, two meetings of the Regional Technical Committee were held (February, June). In this activity, CRREC had a role of support and of consultancy in the community area. Basically, the main idea was to incorporate the community training to the activities developed by the Project. Planning and development of technical meetings to prepare for simulation exercises: the Project has been implemented under the concept of initial base line, intermediate and final assessment. Under this scheme, simulation exercises have been implemented to observe the activation of national response mechanisms of the National Societies. To execute these exercises there have been technical meetings to design, implement, assess and monitor the tools to be used in them, which include: disasters scenarios, events scripts, bulletins, interviews guides, assessment guides in the alert and response phases, indicators, verification sources, guide notes for the evaluators, and the integration of a multidisciplinary team from different countries composed by: representatives from the Colombian Red Cross, Peruvian Red Cross, Salvadorian Red Cross, Guatemalan Red Cross, Federation Secretariat (volunteering, logistics, health PADRU), CREC, PIRAC, coordinators and technicians of the IPR project of the: Nicaraguan Red Cross, Honduran Red Cross, Dominican Red Cross and Haiti Red Cross. Technical Support: The Reference Center has offered technical support in the work lines of its competency: Vulnerabilities and Capacities Methodology Analysis, Social Micro Projects, Protected School, Temporary Shelters, Early Alert Systems and Basic Training Aptitudes. Workshop Global Consciousness of Public Education to Reduce Disasters, San Jos - Costa Rica: Standardize the information is an objective of disasters reduction in education. Key messages are necessary to promote coherent actions for the general public. The purpose of the workshop is to offer a whole and representative group of the existing messages with the cooperation of diverse parties, about disasters risks. This is a start point for the Federation which will facilitate the development of templates for standard messages that can be adapted and applied at a national and community level, in cooperation with national authorities and other interested parties. CRREC hosted the event, contributed with the logistics and the methodological development of the event. Also there was coordination with the Zone Office to transmit the event live, using the DESAPRENDER platform. It is important to mention that the Reference Center, together with the Costa Rican Red Cross made sure that the media was present at the event. Continental Team Meeting of the Disaster Risk Management Program, Panama: Regularly, the work team of the Zone Program for Disaster Risk Management of the America Federation meets twice a year with the following purposes: The first meeting of the year was held in February and it focused mainly in the establishment of planning mechanisms and in the coordination of the 2012 activities. 12
The second meeting was held in August and the purpose was to follow up, to adjust to planning and to the projected coordination for the year, to present the new strategic guidelines and structure of the Americas Zone Office and to share the achievements and challenges with the participating National Societies and the CICR. In both meetings the participation was as member of the continent team of the Disaster Risk Management Program. Reference Centers Meeting, Barbados: This work session was held in March to develop an integral strategy for Public sensitization, education and communication about risk management for Latin America and the Caribbean, analyze the existing tools in the Centers, understand its complementarity, assess collaboration strategic opportunities and articulate the 2012 Operational Plan of the Centers and of Desaprender. Global Meeting of the Reference Centers, Geneva, Switzerland: It was held in May in the headquarters of the Federation in Geneva, Switzerland. The purpose of the meeting was the exchange of experiences, lessons learned and to explore how to jointly increase the work impact of the different Centers to benefit the National Societies and the communities XIX Red Cross Inter American Conference, Montrouis, Haiti: This Conference was held March 13 16, Haiti. During this meeting the Inter American Action Setting 2012 2016 (MAI) was established, which is something like an Action Plan for America to achieve the objectives of the 2020 Strategy of the Movement. Also the Montrouis Declaration was approved, which includes the commitments of the National Societies of America and which was the result of the discussion at the different work tables.
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Reference Centre for Institutional Disaster Preparedness CREPD

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Salvadorian Red Cross
Address: 17 Calle Poniente y Avenida Henry Dunant, Centro de Gobierno, San Salvador, El Salvador, Central America. Phone: + 503 2239-4986 Telefax: + 503 2534-9575 Contact: miguel.vega@crepd-sv.org
Americas Zone / Reference Centre for Institutional Disaster Preparedness Annual Report 2012
2005-2012 Strengthening the Capacities of the National Societies

The CREPD [Reference Centre for Institutional Disaster Preparedness] is a specialized Centre dedicated to the research, systematization, validation and analysis of methodologies for Disaster Management, in collaboration with National Societies.
Mission
The Reference Centre for Institutional Disaster Preparedness, hereinafter referred to as CREPD, with official headquarters in the Salvadorian National Red Cross Society, is an IFRC Secretariats tool which facilitates support for the Americas Zone Office (AZO) in strengthening National Society preparation, response and vulnerability reduction capabilities, facilitating the development of methodologies, tools and harmonization processes, by applying technical knowledge and best practices from different Red Crosses the continent.
Vision
To be a highly efficient technical unit for the development of methodologies, tools, processes for National Society institutional preparedness in disaster management, exchange of experiences and good practices, especially on issues related to the strengthening of National Intervention Teams (NIT), improving internal and external coordination through the development of standard procedures applied in Emergency Operations Centres, appropriate to the reality of National Societies, formulating response and contingency plans that respond to the countrys vulnerability, institutional capacity and validation exercises.
Worktables - Haitian Red Cross Operating Procedures / CREPD 2012
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Lines of Work
National Intervention Teams (NIT): General, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, Health in Emergencies, Epidemic Control, Psychological Support, Humanitarian Logistics. Response and Contingency Plans. Standard Operational Procedures SOPs Organization and Operation of Emergency Operations Centres Emergency Assessments Simulations and drills
Emergency Logistics Course - Salvadorian Red Cross / CREPD 2012
Who does the CREPD serve?

The CREPD serves mainly National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Nongovernment and Government Organizations, among others. The products obtained are the result of the work and effort by National Society volunteers who, through technical internships and design, harmonize or prepare teaching materials that are backed by good practices at the local level, and adapt them to the continental context, thus providing theoretical and practical tools to be used collectively. At the same time, the training of facilitators from National Societies, who make up the continental NETWORK, is carried out. This makes it possible to meet current and future demand for training processes, advisory missions, and developing training modules, among other activities.
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Staff
General Coordination Miguel Adalberto Vega Medina Technical Officers Lic. Jos Edgardo Barahona Mira Dr. Rafael Antonio Garca Murillo Administrative Assistant Lic. Blanca Miriam Bautista de Grande
Technical Support
Volunteers and staff from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRCs Secretariat, International Committee of the Red Cross, Participating National Societies, USAID/OFDALAC, Nongovernment and Government Organizations, among others.
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Activities by Line of Work

A. National Intervention Teams NIT
STRATEGIC AIM 1: SAVE LIVES, PROTECT LIVELIHOODS, AND STRENGTHEN RECOVERY FROM DISASTERS AND CRISES: ALL NATIONAL SOCIETIES HAVE THE BASIC RESPONSIBILITY TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, SINCE THEY ARE CLOSEST TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE EXPOSED TO DISASTER RISK AND CRISES.
National Intervention Teams focused on disasters are composed of volunteers with multi-disciplinary training, who come from subsidiaries and from the main headquarters. They are trained in various fields of Disaster Management, and can travel to areas within their territory affected by a disaster in less than 48 hours. To date, they have become an essential tool for disaster management, as well as a valuable human resource in the organization Regional Intervention Teams and Regional Response Units, among other tools within the IFRC System. The NIT training process begins with the General Course. Participants then may choose to specialize in different areas on health, water management and logistics. This process has been adopted by 16 National Societies in Central-South America and the Caribbean, with more than 1,000 volunteers trained. Training not only includes the initial course, National Societies are responsible for continuing the process through the organization, operation and renewal of teams, and incorporating them into their daily work, among other activities. It has been found that the National Intervention Teams in the Americas have been diminished by the high rate of volunteer dropout experienced in National Societies, thus making it necessary to incorporate a continuous process that ensures their renewal and permanence. Samples from the National Intervention Teams active work can be examined on the Disaster Management Information System (DMIS).
Volunteers trained 2012-General Course

National Society Honduran Red Cross Chilean Red Cross Salvadorian Red Cross Total Participants 24 16 24 64
Example: Taken from DMIS Report Summary, 08 Nov 12 Earthquake of Magnitude 7.2 Guatemala. Status: Update Related report number: 2 Sources: National Society National Disaster Secretariat Action taken by National Society Red Cross: The Guatemalan Red Cross, through its National Intervention Teams working in local Delegations, compose the Incident Command Systems, as well as Departmental and Municipal Coordinators for Disaster Reduction. 18
B. National Intervention Teams - Health

STRATEGIC AIM 1: SAVE LIVES, PROTECT LIVELIHOODS, AND STRENGTHEN RECOVERY FROM DISASTERS AND CRISES: RESTORE ESSENTIAL SERVICES, PROTECT HEALTH, PROVIDE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT, RESTORE LIVELIHOODS AND IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY.
The vision of development built into the health training modules focuses on fulfilling our mandate. Available special fields are: Health in Emergencies (HE), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH), Epidemic Control for Volunteers (ECV), and Psychological Support. During 2012, the Psychological Support training module was proposed and provided at the National Society level. This new training was conducted thanks to the technical support of National Societies and the IFRC Secretariat, and was sponsored by the Chilean Red Cross. Development of the Food Security training module is also expected, which shall be integrated into the Livelihoods module. The result of National Society participation in trainings is as follows:
Health in Emergencies
National Society Costa Rican Red Cross Total Participants 15 15
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion

National Society Chilean Red Cross Salvadorian Red Cross Dominican Red Cross Total Participants 18 26 52 96
Health in Emergencies / Epidemic Control

National Society Nicaraguan Red Cross Guatemalan Red Cross Total Participants 26 30 56
Health in Emergencies / Psychological Support

National Society Bolivian Red Cross Guatemalan Red Cross Ecuadorian Red Cross Total Participants 20 27 13 60
Chilean Red Cross Psychological Support Course / CREPD
CONTRIBUTION IN MEETING THE INTER-AMERICAN FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION - ITEM 2: RECOVERY FROM DISASTERS AND CRISES: STRENGTHENING RED CROSS TRAINING AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT CAPABILITIES, ENSURING THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE SERVICES TO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY DISASTERS AND CRISES WHICH HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TO RESPOND.
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C. Organization and Operation of Emergency Operations Centres-EOC:

CONTRIBUTION IN MEETING THE INTER-AMERICAN FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION - ITEM 1: PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TO DISASTERS AND CRISES: THERE ARE CLEAR AND EFFECTIVE MECHANISMS TO ENSURE THAT IFRC AND RED CROSS MOVEMENT ACTIONS IN EMERGENCIES ARE PROPERLY COORDINATED AND ARTICULATED WITH OTHER HUMANITARIAN ACTORS.
Since the devastating effects of Hurricanes Mitch and George in 1998, National Civil Protection or Civil Defense Systems have changed the way in which they view disasters, thus giving birth to a new tool, which had been slowly taking shape and which is currently being widely used by Institutions and Systems charged with managing disasters these are the Emergency Operations Centres: a very useful tool that has evolved not only in its doctrine, but also in how it is applied. It is designed to be applied in situations of slow or rapid development, in rural and urban environments; thus, many National Societies have adopted it by different names.
Emergency Operations Centres

National Society Costa Rican Red Cross Plan El Salvador Dominican Red Cross Nicaraguan Red Cross Salvadorian Red Cross Total Participants 22 22 28 28 22 22 144
The Centre provided advice in the management and control of emergency operations, applied as an integral part of National Societies National Disaster Preparedness and Response Mechanisms, integrating National Teams and emergency planning. The Emergency Operations Centres should be viewed as a management, monitoring and control tool that cannot be isolated from Planning and Organization. Activities conducted in the National Societies were sponsored by LARRA, Finnish Red Cross, DIPECHO VIII, First Response Initiative (FRI) and Plan El Salvador.
Honduran Red Cross National Monitoring Centre / CREPD 2012
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D. Response and Contingency Plans

CONTRIBUTION IN MEETING THE INTER-AMERICAN FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION - ITEM 3: OUR DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: UPDATE OF CONTINGENCY AND CRISIS RESPONSE PLANS BASED ON INTEGRATED SECTOR AND SERVICE APPROACHES, STRESSING ON PROTECTION AND LIVELIHOOD GENERATION MEASURES AS KEY ISSUES FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EARLY RECOVERY.
Response planning is a constant and ongoing task for National Red Cross Societies, as well as for organizations working on Disaster Risk Reduction, considering the variability of the territorial context in which these organizations carry out their humanitarian work. It is necessary to constantly update Response and Contingency Plans. Advice on updating response and contingency plans was provided to the following National Societies: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and the Lutheran Federation. The response planning process consists of several stages, which include response plans, contingency plans and standardized operating procedures.
Honduran Red Cross Response Plan update Worktables / CREPD 2012.
An exchange of technicians between the Nicaraguan and Honduran Red Cross was conducted to take advantage of these activities, as a part of the First Responders Initiative IPR/FRI project. Details on the participation in these processes are provided next:
Response and Contingency Plans

National Society Dominican Red Cross Salvadorian Red Cross Salvadorian Red Cross Municipal Civil Protection Committees, San Vicente, department of El Salvador Haitian Red Cross Honduran Red Cross Lutheran Federation SV Total Participants 20 26 21 38 24 24 153
As a result, National Societies formulated their Response Plan, with an integrated sector and service approach. Example taken DMIS Report Summary, 24 May 12 Floods Status: Related report number: 3 Sources: National Society Honduran Red Cross Action taken by National Society Red Cross: Following the events, the Honduran Red Cross maintains its entire response system active, as well as the Contingency Plans, having so far conducted the following activities: -Monitoring of the situation in different Honduran Red Cross councils through the CNM and EMC -Activating the Honduran Red Cross Psychosocial Support Team. 21
E. Standardized Operating Procedures

Operating Procedures are the tool that articulates a National Societys Disaster Response Mechanism with the Emergency Operations Centres, for this reason, it is essential that these tools are included when developing a Response Plan. Sessions were conducted to develop procedures for National Societies in Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and El Salvador. This activity allowed for an exchange of technical knowledge between volunteers from National Societies in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, who participated conversely in the processes that each NS performed within the framework of the First Response Initiative IPR/FRI project. As a result, National Societies developed their Standardized Operating Procedures Manual.
F. Simulations and drills

Simulation and drill exercises are tools that help to address the need to systematize the suitable training methods in different special fields, because they allow for the establishment of an experimental environment, recreating certain scenarios that induce among participants the manifestation of behaviors in accordance to circumstances that may occur in the real world. Within the framework of the First Response Initiative IPR/FRI project, the Centre conducted the second simulation exercise in the Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Haiti National Societies, with the purpose of assessing the operational status of their National Disaster Preparedness and Response Mechanisms. The results were able to guide National Societies in the development of their Risk Management programmes. In carrying out the exercises, the CREPD involved a technical team composed by specialists in logistics, disaster management, volunteering and health, coming from National Societies and the Secretariat. They were responsible for developing the tools and assessing the exercises within the different National Societies; each exercise lasted for five days. Also along this line of work, capacity building courses were developed in the following National Societies.
Haitian Red Cross response mechanism simulation / CREPD 2012
Simulations and drills

National Society Nicaraguan Red Cross Salvadorian Red Cross, Municipal Civil Protection Committees, La Unin, department of El Salvador Bolivian Red Cross Total Participants 27 21
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G. Humanitarian Logistics
FORESEEN EFFECTS FROM ENABLING ACTION 1: BUILD STRONG NATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES: EXTENDED AND SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL SOCIETY CAPABILITIES AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL SCALE.
Logistics is an essential system in emergency management. In recent years it has become a real necessity within National Societies, who in times of disasters must organize and manage the mobilization of large quantities of supplies and humanitarian aid, as well as the vehicle fleet, among other needs. For this reason, since 2008 the CREPD has contributed with different stakeholders to develop the Logistics training module, completing such activities in 2011. These actions opened the possibilitiy to impart this new specialization course to National Society National Intervention Teams in 2012. The Guatemalan (DFID), Salvadorian (DIPECHO VII) and Nicaraguan (IPR/FRI) Red Cross have expanded the capabilities of the National disaster Intervention Teams.
Salvadorian Red Cross Logistics Course / CREPD 2012
Emergency logistics
National Society Guatemalan Red Cross Salvadorian Red Cross Nicaraguan Red Cross Total Participants 20 21 18 59
H. Workshops for Instructors

Workshops for instructors were the basis for the creation and maintenance of the continental NETWORK; these, just like the NIT, have been negatively affected by the high volunteer turnover in National Societies, as well as by fewer workshops in 2010 and 2011 due to resource reduction. The vision of process and innovation allowed the CREPD to establish, in 2012, a partnership with several National Societies (Paraguay, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, GuatemaContinental Humanitarian Logistics Workshop, la, El Salvador and Chile) to invigorate strengthening of the El Salvador / CREPD 2012 National Society-based NETWORK. The instructor training process is reflected as follows: 2007: One workshop, 2008: Two workshops, 2009: Six workshops, 2010: One workshop, 2011: Two workshops, 2012: Five workshops. The trained resources allow the Centre to efficiently meet demand for services, which are requested primarily by National Societies. Details on the mobilization of the NETWORK are provided below. 23
Instructor workshop by special field

National Society Special field CREPD-Paraguayan Red Cross General NIT CREPD-Nicaraguan, Chilean, Guatemalan, Salva- Humanitarian Logistics dorian Red Cross Total Participants 13 16 29
Taller para instructores tres especialidades

National Society CREPD-Nicaraguan Red Cross. CREPD- Dominican Red Cross. Total Special field Participantes General NIT, Health, Plans 18 OFCOE, Health, NIT 13 31
I. Development and/or updating of training modules

CONTRIBUTION IN MEETING THE INTER-AMERICAN FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION - ITEM 3: OUR DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: EXPAND COOPERATION WITHIN THE MOVEMENT, PEER SUPPORT AND MUTUAL LEARNING; STRENGTHEN NATIONAL RED CROSS SOCIETY DISASTER AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES THROUGH BETTER HARMONIZATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF TRAINING, METHODOLOGIES AND TOOLS.
The updating and preparation of materials for new services are complementary, but vitally important, tasks to provide better services to the Centres users, as well as to constantly update the variety of products offered based on National Societies needs. The following activities pertaining to the revision of the training modules were carried out in 2012: With support from the Health Programme in Antigua, Guatemala, the technical review of the National Intervention Teams training modules in Health in emergencies and water, sanitation and hygiene promotion was verified. At the request of the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU), the first day for curriculum development in Regional Intervention Teams for Emergency Health was supported.
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J. Missions and Exchanges in the continental instructors NETWORK

ENABLING ACTION 1: BUILD STRONG NATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES: NATIONAL SOCIETIES VALUE A CULTURE OF LEARNING AND ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE IFRCS ACTIVITIES, IN ORDER TO SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND RESOURCES WITH OTHER NATIONAL SOCIETIES.
The process of human talent development includes several stages, which range from basic training to specialization using knowledge and skills acquired in disaster situations. In this process, persons certified as instructors are subject to a number of training internships where they put into practice what they have learned, under the supervision and evaluation of the CREPD. Resource mobilization is carried out with the purpose of: Generating an exchange of experiences with other National Society instructors, who conduct capacity-building or training activities to support the organization and development of the courses; Allow newly certified instructors to start their training in real adult capacity-building situations; Monitor performance, which includes assessments of content, methodology and ethical-professional behavior; and Update contents based on new knowledge. In 2012, the exchange program that the Centre promotes since 2005 was not sponsored. National Societies, convinced of the importance of this activity, included the mobilization of instructors from other National Societies and CREPD staff, as well as the sponsoring of new instructor training workshops, in their planning. Despite the limitations, the result was: 41 mobilizations carried out at different NSs in the continent, support of 73 local instructors in different countries, and 48 advisory-training missions from the CREPD officials, which regulates process performance and quality. The continental facilitator networks exchange program is based on cooperation and solidarity between National Societies, in response to Strategy 2020 and the Inter-American Framework for Action. As an added value, it enables the exchange of experiences, homogenization of mechanisms, disaster management strategies; it fosters cooperation, and above all, strengthens National Societies in light of their Civil Protection Systems, as auxiliaries to the public authorities in humanitarian affairs.
CONTRIBUCIN AL CUMPLIMIENTO DEL MARCO DE ACCIN INTERAMERICANO- TEMA 1: PREPARACIN Y RESPUESTA A DESASTRES Y CRISIS: FOMENTAR UN MAYOR INTERCAMBIO Y APRENDIZAJE ENTRE LAS SOCIEDADES NACIONALES DE LA CRUZ ROJA A TRAVS DE LA COLABORACIN CON LAS INICIATIVAS DE LA FICR Y EL SECRETARIADO, SEALANDO LOS PUNTOS FUERTES, LAS CAPACIDADES Y LAS BUENAS PRCTICAS EN LA PREPARACIN Y RESPUESTA PARA DESASTRES Y CRISIS EN AMRICA.
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K. Complementary activities
In addition to the processes developed as a part of their lines of work, the CREPD participated in other activities complementary to its mission. Implementation of the First Response Initiative Project-IPR/FRI: The CREPD has provided backing and technical support to the FRI project activities, as has been required by the four countries implementing the project. The most important activities are: Participation in the FRI Projects Regional Technical Committee meetings: Two Regional Technical Committee meetings were held in the second year of project implementation (February, June). In this activities, the CREPD played an advisory role in National Society operational planning, and provided guidance on issues related to Disaster Risk Reduction, with emphasis on Emergency Planning, response organization, general training of National Intervention Teams, and in the special fields of: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, Health in Emergencies, Humanitarian Logistics, Organization and Operation of Emergency Operations Centres, and simulations and drills. Planning and development of technical meetings in preparation for simulation exercises: The project has been implemented under the concept of initial baseline, and interim and final assessment. Simulation exercises have been implemented under this scheme, in order to observe the activation of the National Societies national response mechanisms. To carry out these exercises, technical workshops were held on the design, implementation, assessment, and monitoring of the tools to be used in the aforementioned exercises, this included: disaster scenarios, script of events, newsletters, interview guides, assessment guides for the warning and response stages, indicators, verification sources, guidance notes for evaluators, and the formation of a multidisciplinary technical team from different countries. This team was made up by: representatives from the Colombian Red Cross, Peruvian Red Cross, Salvadorian Red Cross, Guatemalan Red Cross, IFRC Secretariat (volunteering, logistics, health, PADRU), CREC, PIRAC, and FRI projects coordinators and technicians from: Nicaraguan Red Cross, Honduran Red Cross, Dominican Red Cross and Haitian Red Cross. Technical support: The Reference Centre has provided technical support in the lines of work within its competence: Response and Contingency Plans, Emergency Operations Centres, Standardized Operating Procedures, and Health. It thereby aims to contribute to the formation of National Society human talent.
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Workshop Global Awareness in Public Education for Disaster Reduction, San Jos, Costa Rica: The standardization of information is considered a disaster reduction target in education. Key messages are necessary to promote coherent actions among the general public. The purpose of the workshop is to provide a comprehensive and representative series of existing messages, with the collaboration of diverse stakeholders, on disaster risk. This is a starting point for the IFRC, which will allow it to start developing templates for standardized messages, which are then to be adapted and implemented at the national and community level, in collaboration with national authorities and other stakeholders. The CREPD participated in this activity as a representative of the benchmark team in Disaster Risk Reduction for the Americas Zone, and given the experience within various National Societies. Follow-up meeting to update the Regional Response Plan for the Americas, Panama City: This meeting was organized to methodologically guide the design process of the Regional Response Plan, in order to strengthen coordination and joint operation between National Societies, the IFRC Secretariat, Participating National Societies, ICRC and other actors. At this second meeting, the response mechanism and its coordination with the newly created Regional Response Units were complemented. The final product was the document which will then be disseminated by PADRU. Temporary Shelter Course, Mexico: Activity carried out at the Mexican Red Cross Centre for Capacity-Building and Training, under coordination of the parties responsible for the IFRCs SHELTER programme. The CREPD participated as an observer, with the purpose of systematizing the training process and analyzing the possibility of long-term design, the training module, and other tools for managing temporary shelters by National Intervention Teams. Course on Flood Rescue Techniques, Honduras: In order to strengthen the Centres work with the National Societies Training School, the Binational course Flood Rescue Techniques was held. The course was aimed at Honduran and Nicaraguan Red Cross volunteers. This activity was coordinated with the Salvadorian Red Cross School of Aquatic Safety. As a result, the first National Society brigades in this special field were trained. They were then incorporated into the First Responder Initiative Project IPR/FRI by their respective NSs.
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Meeting of the Disaster Risk Management Programmes Continental Team, Panama:: The IFRCs Disaster Risk Management programme working team for the Americas Zone meets regularly twice a year for the following purposes: The years first meeting, held in the month of February, was aimed primarily at establishing the planning and coordinating mechanisms for 2012s activities; The second meeting, held in the month of August, had the purpose of monitoring and adjusting to the planning and coordination projected for the year, presenting new strategic and structural guidelines from the Americas Zone Office, and sharing achievements and challenges with Participating National Societies and the ICRC. The CREPD participated in both meetings as a member of the Disaster Risk Management Programmes continental team. Reference Centres Meeting, Barbados: This working session was held in March with the purpose of creating the comprehensive strategy Public awareness, education and communication in risk management for Latin America and the Caribbean, analyzing the Centres existing tools, understanding their complementary nature, evaluating strategic opportunities for collaboration, and articulating the Centres y DesAprenders 2012 Operational Plan. An initial proposal was made for adapting CREPDs Practical handbook for conducting Simulations and Drills to the Caribbean context. It included activities such as: translating the guide and training module, conducting three validation courses in the Caribbean, and later, with support from USAID/OFDALAC, conducting an instructors training workshop. Originally, internships were programmed to begin in November 2012, but due to unforeseen circumstances they were rescheduled for 2013. Global Meeting of Reference Centres, Geneva, Switzerland: In May, the CREPD participated in the Global Meeting held at the IFRC headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange experiences and lessons learned, and explore how we can together increase the impact of the work done by different the Centres, for the benefit of National Societies and communities. Meeting of Regional Response Units-RRU, Panama City: The RRUs will be established as a response tool in the Americas, coordinated by the IFRC Zone Office and composed of members from the regions National Societies. These units will belong to the National Societies and be mobilized as specialized and standardized units. The meeting had the purpose of revising the existing terms of reference, as well as the procedures for activating the RRUs, and also defining the technical standards. The CREPD played an important role, as the set of training curricula for RRUs will be extracted from the Centres existing training modules: Health in Emergencies, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, among others. 31
This activity also involved National Societies from Ecuador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Guatemala, the United States, and Canada. Fourth Central American Disaster Risk Reduction Management Leaders Conference, San Salvador, El Salvador: The Conferences aim was Strengthening the exchange of experiences, information and suggestions for the harmonization of procedures in managing emergencies and disasters in the Central American region, with national, regional, and international actors. Some of the results were: Dissemination of the new concept of the FA-HUM exercise, dissemination of response preparedness activities among stakeholders present, reporting on the current state of: CCAH/ CCAHI/CATAI, National Response Plan, Management of the Emergency Operations Centre, Emergency and Disaster Management in 2011, and lessons learned, among others. The CREPD participated to contribute, based on its experience, in most of the issues that are within its technical competence, and as an operational arm of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Meeting of OFDA partners and focal points, San Salvador, El Salvador: The purpose of the meeting was: to share information about the work done by USAID/OFDA as part of the training and technical assistance processes that are being promoted since 1992 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and particularly their evolution in El Salvador. Also, to provide information on the role played by USAID/OFDA in response and additional relief actions, and to share interests in supporting initiatives that reduce disaster risks, with a focus on Integrated Disaster Risk Management. It is important to mention the association between the CREPD and OFDA, since the latter collaborates in the CREPD instructor certification process. This is a relationship that has been maintained since the establishment of the Centre, but has not been made official by the IFRC Secretariat. E-Learning Workshop and Experts Meeting, Panama City: The purpose of the workshop was to contribute to strengthen volunteer and Red Cross personnel capacity and skills through e-learning and the use of technologies in education. The meeting also served to disseminate the Centres accomplishments and its medium term challenges. One of the main challenges is to migrate the existing training modules to the e-learning format, using the IFRCs Distance Learning Platform, which will provide access to more users. Additionally, an experts meeting was held with the participation of technicians from National Societies, with the purpose of developing an e-learning methodology applied to the National intervention Teams General training Course, to increase service coverage and expansion. This activity will be continued in 2013. 32
Creation Facebook page, emails, Twitter: Promotes product development through innovation, generates preference and reference, builds loyalty and deepens relationships, creates a network of followers, promotes products or services, announces upcoming events, maintains contact with users, allows communication with its networks, obtains feedback, identifies new needs, tastes or preferences, analyzes the competition. These are some of the reasons why the CREPD joined the so-called social networks, identifying them as an opportunity to be present in the digital media, and to communicate about the different work areas. At the same time, and with technical support from the Honduran Red Cross Department of Information Technology, new email accounts were created for CREPD officials, since using official accounts portrays a better image to internal and external users in the Red Cross Movement. This is an initiative that was on hold for several years, but has just now materialized. The creation of a virtual tool that offers our users the opportunity to further their learning, download materials and advertise our products to achieve the Centres sustainability is being studied. Workshop for the restructuring of the Honduran Red Cross Disaster Management Office-OPADE, Tegucigalpa, Honduras: As part of the First Response Initiative Project, and through the simulation exercises coordinated by the CREPD, the Honduran Red Cross began the process of updating its administrative-operational structure, as well as its disaster management tools, within the National Society. Therefore, a workshop was held to promote the approach towards a new Disaster Risk Management Office model. For this activity, the CREPD actively participated in working groups and technical meetings, promoted and run by a National Society monitoring team. This activity will continue in 2013. Technical review of the National Intervention Team training modules on Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Emergencies , Guatemala: Under the auspice of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, through the Health Technical Unit for the Americas Zone Office, the CREPD participated in the review of two of its Health Training Modules. The purpose was to bring together National Society focal points in the fields of Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, to review and adapt the National Intervention Team (NIT) training modules, with a focus on current trends in the Americas The process was led by the CREPD, implementing interactive methodologies such as: working groups and presentations, and systematizing the results later on. Currently, the training modules are being updated based on the recommendations that came up in the review workshop. This activity will continue in 2013. General Course on Regional Disaster Intervention Teams, Colombia: In the context of sustained cooperation with the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU), technical support was provided in 2012 for the development of training processes for Regional Intervention Teams 33
(RIT). This support included advice on: design, implementation, assessment, and coordination with the NIT process, as well as monitoring the update and diversification of regional training curricula. Similar activities have been conducted in previous years, with the aim of strengthening the IFRCs response system training processes in the Americas. Work has been done providing technical support for General RITs, IT Telecom, and recently, Health in emergencies. Technical meeting for developing the Regional Disaster Intervention Teams (ERI-RIT) training module, Health in Emergencies special field, Panama City: As part of the technical support provided to the Pan American Disaster Response Unit, the first internship for updating the RIT training module took place in Panama City. The CREPD has the expertise required to design these tools. Among the results obtained we can include: identification of training needs, definition of performance, training objectives, definition of participants profile, and NIT/RIT coordination on Health in emergencies. The process includes at least three phases, of which only the first one has been carried out. The remaining ones are expected to be developed in the coming year. For this intervention, an economic proposal was submitted before PADRU to help with the Centres sustainability. Training of Trainers Workshop on psychosocial support: With support from the IFRCs Psychosocial Support Reference Centre in Denmark, the Training of Trainers Workshop on Psychosocial Support was held in Panama City. It was aimed at National Society specialists from: Panama, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Guyana, IFRC Lima, Granada, Honduras, IFRC Haiti, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Belize, CREPD, Costa Rica and Paraguay. Since 2011, the CREPD promotes the formation of National Intervention Teams on Psychosocial Support in Emergencies, which in 2012 were implemented in five countries in the Americas. This activity adds to the quality of the services provided by the CREPD, while allowing for the integration of National Society knowledge and experience into the Psychosocial Support Reference Centres efforts. Assessment of the District Evacuation Drill Bogot, Colombia: In previous years, the CREPD has participated in this assessment process, invited by Civil Protection Systems or other entities. This year, at the request of the Emergency Prevention and Attention Fund (FOPAE), and of district entities from the City of Bogot/Colombia, an exercise was organized to assess the functions of the Drill Coordination Centre (CCS) and the Emergency Operations Centre (COE) during the District Evacuation Drill. Based on the Red Cross National and International experience, the activity produced a series of recommendations to 34
enhance this District-wide exercise. The results obtained will help to improve training deficiencies, as well as affect the performance and quality of the Systems response. Board Exercise No 2 on Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Response. Inter-American Defense Board (IADB), Washington, USA: The aim of this meeting was to identify possible improvements in the IADBs internal coordination with regards to its relationship with other actors, by motivating participants to examine the existing processes, procedures, structures and doctrines, and allowing for the development of a plan tailored to the IADBs needs, thus facilitating compliance with the tasks required by the OAS. One of the most important activities was to provide information on IADB actions to officials, representatives from OAS organisms, similar organizations and NGOs, involved in natural disaster humanitarian aid. Technical Support to Haitian Red Cross: Within the framework of the First Response Initiative Project, the Centre presented before the National Society a participatory process that included: Updating of the National Response Plan, based on its operations manual. Coordination of existing and new contingency plans with regards to the National Response Plan. Updating and development of Standardized Operating Procedures. Technical assistance was provided between July and December, with support from a consultant who is part of the Centres Continental NETWORK. The methodology employed was participatory, allowing National Society staff and volunteers to work together in different activities and group dynamics. Four day-long technical sessions were conducted, with the following results: Performance diagnosis of the National Societys response mechanism, Updating of the Emergency Response Plan. Updating and harmonization of Regional Contingency Plans. Drafting the Standardized Operating Procedures Manuals first draft.
Planned for 2013: validating plans and procedures through a binational drill on the Dominican border, and adapting CREPD training modules to be used by the Haitian Red Cross Training Center.
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Training Sessions on the Management of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion at the community level: The Centres staff participated in the training session led by members of communities benefited by the project Disaster Risk Reduction in vulnerable communities within the municipalities of Coatepeque and El Congo, El Salvador, conducted by the Salvadorian Red Cross and sponsored by AECID and the Spanish Red Cross. The NIT Training Module was employed for this activity, as well as the course material entitled Net Cal at Yec, which in Nahuatl means The house of healthy water. The added value was the knowledge about a new tool that will permit the training of people with low levels of schooling.
STRATEGIC AIM 1: SAVE LIVES, PROTECT LIVELIHOODS, AND STRENGTHEN RECOVERY FROM DISASTERS AND CRISES: A DISASTER OR CRISIS CAN BE A SUDDEN EMERGENCY OR MAY HAVE A SLOW EVOLUTION. IN BOTH CASES, IT IS OUR BASIC DUTY TO BE WELL PREPARED TO USE ALL EFFECTIVE MEANS TO OFFER HELP, ACCORDING TO THE DIFFERENT NEEDS MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, WHEREVER AND WHENEVER NECESSARY.
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The Red Cross Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Reference Centre CADRIM
International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies Barbados Red Cross
Barbados Red Cross Society Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados Office: +1246 417 1530 Fax: +1246 417 1540 Email: cadrim.americas@ifrc.org Website: www.caribbeanredcross.org
Americas Zone / Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Reference Centre Annual Report 2012
Mission
To develop and share contextual tools and methodologies to create safer and more resilient communities in the Caribbean.
Vision
To become a centre of excellence in the field of disaster risk management through the development, adaptation and sharing of knowledge and pioneering innovative research at regional, national and local levels
Working areas
1. Development and Adaption of Tools The Centre adapts existing tools as well as develops new tools based on needs identified. The Centre translates, modifies and tests relevant tools presently in use within the Federation and other CBDRR organisations. Through a process of feedback from Red Cross Societies and other organizations utilizing this resource, existing tools are periodically reviewed and modified to ensure they evolve with changes in context and practice. In addition, the Centre creates new tools and methodologies as opportunities and needs arise. Climate change and issues of gender and diversity are key cross-cutting themes that are considered in the development of the materials. 2. Internships and Technical Exchanges The Centre coordinated internships and technical exchanges with partners such as National Societies, research institutions or similar entities, in order to update, develop, pilot, promote, test and share methodologies and tools. These exchange visits and internships are organized with clear goals and objectives to maximize the learning experience among people in the Caribbean and with other places with similar contexts. These approaches allow all the regions societies to contribute with the development, testing and up-dating of tools and methodologies related to disaster risk reduction in a highly participatory manner. 3. Development and maintenance of Trainers Database CADRIM gathers and maintains information from Red Cross volunteers and staff to inform a regional trainers registry of persons skilled in various training methodologies. Trainers are used to pilot and develop/ adapt materials through a learning-by-doing approach. Through this process, materials are built though through input from National Societies across the region and reflect a consensus in terms of tools, methodologies and overall effectiveness. 4. Knowledge Management The Center tries to improve knowledge management primarily in the area of community resilience and risk reduction via updating and maintaining a web library of high quality resource materials in English on community based disaster risk reduction relevant to the Caribbean. The library is designed for the usage of Caribbean Red Cross National Societies and other organisations with similar portfolios or persons with an interest in this field. This inventory builds on and links to existing online resources and platforms. 38
Who are we?

The Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Reference Centre (CADRIM) is an entity of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and hosted by the Barbados Red Cross National Society. This recently founded (2010) Reference Centre aims to reduce risk, especially to the most vulnerable, in the Caribbean region through innovative and relevant activities and actions at the community and institutional levels. The permanent staff and regular interns, with the technical support of the Red Cross Caribbean Disaster Management Network or Red Cross networks, IFRC DM Network Representatives offices and partners, are producing contextual tools, methodologies and coordinating trainings to promote actions consistent with key global and regional Strategies and Frameworks such as the Hyogo Framework for Action, Strategy 2020, the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy for the Caribbean and the IFRC Caribbean Disaster Management 5 Year Strategic Framework, which highlights capacity building in disaster management as a priority in the region.
Who do we want to support?

CADRIM supports all those in need with methodologies ultimately aimed at benefitting the most vulnerable within the Caribbean. This support can be provided directly to communities or the requesting group, or indirectly via training to Caribbean Red Cross National Societies, as well as further adapting tools and delivering trainings to other institutions, humanitarian/development organisations or those in other sectors. Thus, the Centres reach includes engagement with governmental agencies, NGOs and private sector organisations.
Staff of the Center of Reference

The Reference Centre is currently staffed with three persons. They are as follows: Coordinator 1 Technical Officer 1 Administrative/Finance Officer (part-time)
From left: Reynette Royer (Coordinator), Melanie Cameron (Admin/Finance Officer), Tracey Edwards (Technical Officer), and Rendal Edwards (Intern-January to March 2013 St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross Society)
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Activities within each area of work (undertaken in 2012)

A. Development and Adaption of Tools
Strategic Targeting Methodology The development of guidelines and tools for a Strategic Targeting Methodology (STM) for Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) interventions was instigated by the IFRC because of the challenges experienced by National Societies when trying to select communities without them. A consultant was identified to undertake this work which sought To develop a targeting methodology which will be used to transparently and consistently select the most vulnerable communities in a country by any stakeholder (Government, NGO, RCRC) throughout the (Caribbean) region. The work began in October 2012, with the technical lead from a consultant, and was completed in February 2013 based on the Terms of Reference which guided the consultancy. The stages of development of the Strategic Targeting Methodology (STM) were as follows: Interviews with key informants and review of documents. Launch meeting in Barbados with regional and national participants: initial guidance was sought on what an improved targeting tool should look like and detailed comments were collated on the existing Community Selection Tool (CST) developed by the IFRC Caribbean region. Revision to the scope of work (outputs): it was suggested by the consultants and agreed by the IFRC that the STM improvements required review and revision of the whole approach to CBDRR targeting which hitherto covered only the community selection step. In short, the STM should include the following processes: assessing and comparing disaster risk across the entire country to identify priority parishes. assessing and comparing disaster risk within prioritized parishes and compiling a short-list of the most vulnerable communities or hazard-prone areas assessing, comparing and ranking disaster risk within the short-listed communities selecting communities for the CBDRR project (or for other purpose). Visit to Guyana: one-to-one meetings with the Head of the National Disaster Organization (NDO) the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and other national stakeholders to examine availability and accessibility of information required for mapping and analysis of disaster risk within Guyana. visit to one region to meet the chair of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) (also chair of the disaster management committee) to examine availability and accessibility of information required for disaster risk mapping and analysis within the Region. Community Disaster Risk Assessment Questionnaire (C-DRA-Q) redesigned.
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Visit to Grenada (coinciding with the second Country Profile consultancy visit): C-DRA-Q reviewed by National stakeholders in Grenada One-to-one meetings with the NDO (the National Disaster Management Agency - NADMA) representative to examine availability and accessibility of information required for mapping and analysis of disaster risk within Grenada Visit to one community to meet members of a Community Disaster Response Team (CDRT) and the Disaster Coordinator for the district. Attendance at the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) conference in Jamaica: exploration of availability and accessibility of disaster risk information and global Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and modelling systems/platforms. Review of experiences in DRR concerning gender, young people, civil society etc. . Visit to Jamaica: Attendance at the review meeting for Hurricane Sandy Workshop to review the revised Community Disaster Risk Assessment Questionnaire by national DM stakeholders, and to explore availability and accessibility of information for national disaster risk mapping and analysis. Field testing of the revised Community Disaster Risk Assessment Questionnaire One-to-one meetings with the NDO (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other stakeholders. Final draft produced of the C-DRA-Q Development of Community Disaster Risk Assessment Workbook (C-DRA-W) to store, consolidate and analyse relative disaster risk within assessed communities and guidelines for data entry / analysis A Steering Committee to monitor this methodology was established in December 2012 and the first meeting held in February 2013. Six meeting participants were in attached and included representatives from CDEMA, American Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, Caribbean Disaster Management Network, IFRC/CADRIM and the lead consultant. In 2013, IFRC and CDEMA will discuss most appropriate and effective way to launch the tool regionally, including a training plan/schedule. CADRIM is coordinating the finalisation of the tool with Canadian Red Cross, CCRDR Project implementing National Societies, DM Network Representative and IFRC focal points. Climate Change Adaptation (3CA) toolkit CADRIM has conducted another review of the CDEMA toolkit, first adapted in 2011 by CADRIM to complement the VCA process, as well as similar guides from other organizations. In addition, CADRIM personnel participated in climate change-related trainings in Jamaica, Hungary and Barbados, allowing for the toolkit to be promoted amongst regional stakeholders as well as incorporating additional content. Based on this, a new approach to improve the content of the toolkit has been developed which incorporated GIS and GPS. The final product also includes climate change awareness, assessment and assimilation/adoption tools. Feedback from the previous pilots has been incorporated into the toolkit and the facilitators hand41
3CA Training in Antigua and Barbuda
book that is currently being finalised. Pilots have been conducted in Suriname and Antigua in November 2012 and Jamaica in January 2013, through the Improving Climate Change Resilience of Caribbean Communities (DFID) project currently being rolled out in these countries. The fourth and final pilot will be carried out in Barbados in April 2013. Three pilots have been covered through the Improving Climate Change Resilience of Caribbean Communities (DFID) project funding and 1 through the CCRDR Project. With the exception of the first three pilots, the CCRDR project has covered all of the costs related to the development of this tool. A comprehensive review of the evaluation from the pilots is being incorporated into the tool and the guide which are scheduled for finalization in June 2013. Pilot Country Grenada Red Cross (version 1) Guyana Red Cross (version 1) Suriname Red Cross (version 2) Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross (version 2)
*includes CCA awareness activities in 8 communities.
Participants 327* 67 21 69
CCA Training in Guyana
Response and Contingency Planning Guide Through an internship, CADRIM conducted a review of the existing guide and template adapted in year 1 by the Centre, taking into consideration the new IFRC Contingency Planning Guide, leading to concrete recommendations for improvement of the Caribbean guide. Feedback on the previous version was received and recommendations from National Societies in the region through an interactive session during the Pre-Hurricane Meeting, a one-day workshop and telephone interviews have been captured. Improvements, amongst others, include new templates for contingency plans and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), updated content with references to cash based programming, business continuity and simulations, and an adapted training package. Pilots were conducted in October and November 2012 in Suriname and Barbados respectively. The final review is underway and will be finalised in May 2013. Pilot Country Barbados Red Cross Suriname Red Cross Participants 8 15
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Simulations and Drills Training Manual Through an internship funded by the IFRC Americas Zone Office, both the Spanish and the English version of an existing simulations guide were reviewed. This resulted in a complementary and additional internship from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross to examine the relevance and user-friendly nature of this and other similar guides and propose an adapted version for the Caribbean. A pilot training was held in March 2013 in collaboration with the CRRO and also built on substantive feedback from the DM Network during a CADRIM Technical Advisory Group Meeting. Volunteers in Emergencies Toolkit This toolkit aims to strengthen the capacity of National Societies to manage volunteers before, during and after times of emergency. It builds upon the Volunteer Management toolkit produced by the Caribbean Organizational Development Network in 2006 and volunteer management and development trainings conducted over the last three years. Work on the toolkit has been co-funded by DG ECHO through the placement of a volunteer from the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EVHAC) in the CRRO. Thorough desk research was conducted and the draft version of the manual was presented. National Societies were informed about the process and consulted during the annual Pre-Hurricane Meeting in May, and four National Societies participated in revising the toolkit through a workshop and tested it in a simulation in Trinidad in July 2012. Feedback from these meetings, the workshop and simulation has been incorporated into the toolkit. The Canadian Red Cross and CIDA will support the final costs related final review, printing and dissemination through the CCRDR Project. Pilot Country Regional Training (2 persons from 7 National Societies and 4 from Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross host National Society) Safe House Methodology This methodology has been developed by he French Red Cross though CADRIM and was financed through the Caribbean DIPECHO 8 project and the implementation is led by the French Red Cross. The methodology aims to provide Red Cross volunteers with the necessary knowledge to train community members on how to make their houses safer. Suggested actions include guidance on building foundations, installation of hurricane straps and other structural reinforcement, as well as guidance on how to build flood barriers to protect homes. So far the tool has been piloted in Barbados, Grenada and Suriname. In 2013, through the Improving Climate Change Resilience of Caribbean Communities (DFID) project, the methodology will be further validated and roll out in Jamaica and CCRDR Project funds will be used to support the printing and promotion of this tool. Participants 18
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Pilot Country Grenada Red Cross Suriname Red Cross Barbados Red Cross Dominica Red Cross Jamaica Red Cross Saint Lucia Red Cross
Participants 142 6 12 55 44 2
Houses Reinforced 48 3 5 56 39 0
B. Internships and Technical Exchanges

INTERNSHIPS / Staff on Loan Pilot Country Suriname Red Cross IFRC Geneva French Red Cross IFRC Americas Zone Office TECHNICAL EXCHANGES Jamaica Red Cross Society to Guyana Red Cross Quantity 1 1 1 1 Focus Area Learning Response and Contingency Guide Safer Houses Methodology Technical support: tool adaptation Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment Training
CADRIM Interns and Staff - From left to right: Melissa Allemant, Bo Hurkmans, Tracey Edwards, Reynette Royer, Melanie Cameron, Omar Joel-Overman.
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C. Development and maintenance of Trainers Registry

In 2012, an online and an offline system has been set up, inviting Red Cross volunteers and staff to input their training experience. The survey can be accessed online through this link or visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/crcs_training_registry. Correspondence has been sent out to all 13 Directors General of the National Societies supported by the Caribbean Regional Representation Office, as well as some overseas branches, informing them about this initiative. This communication provided the link and the form in MicrosoftWord format, inviting the Directors General to disseminate this information among their volunteers and staff. The information collected intends to create a profile made up of personal information, contact information, languages spoken, National Society affiliation, list of trainings with indication of level (participant/facilitator, trainer or trainer of trainers) and the year a specific training was received. Furthermore, an overview of any experience as trainer is requested. When filling out the form, one can indicate whether or not contact details should be kept private, in which case the information for that specific user will not be published online. To date, 58 responses have been received from 7 National Societies and 1 overseas branch. The information received from volunteers and staff is verified with each National Society. Each 6 months, the National Societies will receive the registry of their own volunteers/staff and also those from other National Society staff/volunteers who have given permission for their information to be shared before the end of the year. The information will also be uploaded to the CADRIM website and linked/harmonised with along regional, zonal and global training registries.
D. Knowledge Management
In 2012, CADRIM coordinated/supported several pilot trainings/workshops on the tools and methodologies be developed for the Region. Based on the lessons learned, and in an effort to analyse the impact of these trainings and other activities as well as identify trends and gaps, the Centre will consolidate the feedback using analytical software (SPSS) and other methodologies to determine value for money. This process will commence in 2013. In later 2012, the Centre, with funds from CIDA and Canadian Red Cross through the Caribbean Resilience to Disaster IFRC/CADRIM exhibition booth at the Annual CDM ConRisk (CCRDR) Project, developed a website embedded in ference in Jamaica, December 2012 the regional website for the IFRC Caribbean Regional Representation Office. This website will be launched in June 2013 and this virtual space that will be promoted and made accessible to all key stakeholders and partners. The website will have features that will identify how many tools are being downloaded and in some cases, who is accessing the information (by gender, country or organization) and a rating system on the tools and activities of the Centre. Ad interim, the Centre will continue to promote tools to National Societies and partners at various regional and global meetings and make them available via dropbox.
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Meeting IFRC Continental DRM Planning Meeting Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CARICOF)
Reference Centers Meeting
Simulations Training
Hurricane Season Preparedness Meeting
Objective Establish the mechanisms for planning and coordinating 2012 activities. Develop a sustained collaborative process for credible and authoritative early warnings across climate timescales drawing upon multiple warning sources (regional, national, local) and partnerships; Provide guidance on the development of early warning information systems for critical integrated thresholds (physical, economic, social environmental) across spatial and temporal climatic scales; Enable regional, country and local level managers to provide more preparedness and adaptation guidance based on risk indicators and triggers for particular decisions; Enhance the capability to adapt the early warning enterprise as new issues (e.g. ocean acidification) emerge and the climate changes Review and discuss inputs for a Public Awareness and Public Education Integrated Strategy for the Americas; Review potential proposals; discuss DRM strategies of the NSs (as is reflected in Strategic Plans etc.); Analyse the existing tools of the Centers and better understand their complementarity and discuss strategic opportunities to collaborate. Articulate operational plan for the Centers and DesAprender for 2012. To build capacity of disaster managers and technical support specialists by training them on how to construct, design and implement and follow up on a disaster simulation. Gain further clarity (through dialogue, mutual information sharing and understanding) of roles and responsibilities during a hurricane (who does what, when) with the intention of strengthening the regional response system so that it is connected to the Movements global structure whilst at the same time maintaining a National Society focus.
Location Panama Barbados
Time period February 2012 March 2012
Barbados
March 2012
Panama
March 2012
Barbados
May 2012
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Global Red Cross Centers Meeting
IFRC Continental DRM Planning Meeting
Climate Change Workshop
Climate Capacity Building Training Course
To exchange experiences and explore how we can jointly increase the impact of the various centres for the benefit of the members and communities served by the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. To track and adjust planning and coordination projected for the year, presenting new strategic guidelines and structure of the Americas Zone Office and share achievements and challenges with Partner National Societies etc. This regional training workshop (coordinated by the Climate Studies Group Mona of the University of the West Indies, Jamaica (CSGM) in collaboration with the Institute of Meteorology of Cuba (INSMET)) on Ensemble Climate Modelling aimed to provide participants with the knowledge to use climate models and their outputs in various sectors, as more precise information on sector impacts and vulnerability, needs to be enhanced across the Caribbean Region. Climate impact methodologies for agriculture, water, coastal and health sectors are important to the region, the outputs from which would enable better adaptation to climate change. The course aims at providing a better understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change and their implications to work being carried out by the Red Cross Red Crescent. Specific objectives: To promote a better understanding of climate change and the challenges it poses; To understand how to effectively mainstream climate change concerns into programming and identify the opportunities it brings; To introduce participants to existing tools available for mainstreaming climate change and disaster risk reduction; To have a better understanding of financing mechanisms available and identify appropriate partners for specific activities; To have a better understanding of climate change policy at both the global and national levels.
Geneva
May 2012
Panama
August 2012
Jamaica
August 2012
Hungary
September 2012
47
Comprehensive Disaster Management Conference
The CDM Conference is structured to pro- Jamaica mote best practices, share lessons learnt, discuss ongoing research and chart the way forward for the advancement of Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) in the Caribbean. Specifically, the 2012 conference aimed to: To demonstrate and facilitate exchanges on shared responsibility for CDM at the individual, community, sectoral, national and regional levels; To facilitate consensus building on the Regional Strategy on CDM beyond 2012, including preparations for post-HFA and; to build and reaffirm commitment for and promote the goals of CDM. The Conference is the Caribbeans largest gathering of professionals in the fields of disaster management and professionals from sectoral and thematic fields who have specific responsibilities in this area
December 2012
48
The Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Humanity The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples. Impartiality It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress. Neutrality In order to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
Independence The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement. Voluntary service It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain. Unity There can be only one Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory. Universality The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.
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For more information, please contact: Americas Zone Organisational Development, Learning and Innovation Unit Building 221 Jacinto Palacios Cobos street City of Knowledge, Clayton, Panama Tel: +507 317 3050 Fax: +507 317 1811 E-mail: zoneodli.americas@ifrc.org

Americas Zone Reference Centres Annual Report 2012

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Americas Zone Reference Centres Annual Report 2012

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Americas Zone Reference Centre

Annual Report 2012

Reference Centre for Community Resilience CRREC

Host National Society:

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Promoting Community Resilience in the National Societies

Work Tables at a Protected School / CRREC 2012

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Who are we?

What is the CRREC target population?

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Activities by Work Methodology

B. Social Micro Projects

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Social Micro Projects

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

C. Basic Training Aptitudes

Basic Training Aptitudes

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

E. Early Warning Systems:

Early Warning System

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Reference Centre for Institutional Disaster Preparedness CREPD

Host National Society:

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

2005-2012 Strengthening the Capacities of the National Societies

Worktables - Haitian Red Cross Operating Procedures / CREPD 2012

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Emergency Logistics Course - Salvadorian Red Cross / CREPD 2012

Who does the CREPD serve?

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Activities by Line of Work

Volunteers trained 2012-General Course

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

B. National Intervention Teams - Health

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion

Health in Emergencies / Epidemic Control

Health in Emergencies / Psychological Support

Chilean Red Cross Psychological Support Course / CREPD

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

C. Organization and Operation of Emergency Operations Centres-EOC:

Emergency Operations Centres

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

D. Response and Contingency Plans

Response and Contingency Plans

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

E. Standardized Operating Procedures

F. Simulations and drills

Haitian Red Cross response mechanism simulation / CREPD 2012

Simulations and drills

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

H. Workshops for Instructors

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Instructor workshop by special field

Taller para instructores tres especialidades

I. Development and/or updating of training modules

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

J. Missions and Exchanges in the continental instructors NETWORK

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies