Sensitivity required in disaster relief and rehabilitation

Post-disaster evaluations must shift away from total relief funds collected and focus instead on whether affected people received clean water, medicines, safe shelter, and critical services when they needed them most

KATHMANDU: When a disaster occurs, we often ask, how much money was raised, how many relief supplies were sent, and how many organizations were deployed? These questions are necessary. But for affected families, even more important questions are, when did drinking water arrive? Were regular medications received or not? Is the living space safe? Where to lodge a complaint if assistance is not received?

Experience regarding Nepal’s humanitarian response following the Tibet-Nepal cross-border flood on August 26 shows that these very questions must be placed at the center. Operating amidst difficult geography, damaged roadways, incomplete information, and diverse needs was not easy. However, the difficult circumstances have also pointed out areas where our preparedness, coordination, and operational systems need improvement.

Further scientific research is required regarding the physical origin and total impact of this event. At the same time, an evidence-based review of the humanitarian response must also be conducted. Its purpose is not to assign blame to anyone. It is to understand what information became available when, who made what decisions based on that, and when aid reached the community.

Immediate life-saving assistance

Immediately after an incident occurs, one cannot wait for complete data before providing assistance. While starting immediate life-saving assistance, information must be continuously updated. If the rapid assessment of the first 24 to 72 hours cannot be linked with the subsequent detailed study, the picture of needs remains incomplete.

Data on collapsed houses alone does not convey a family’s condition. Are there individuals taking regular medication there? Do members with disabilities require support? What is the condition of children, pregnant women, or elderly citizens living alone? Where has the displaced family relocated? If such questions are missed, a situation may arise where a name is on the relief list, yet essential services are not received.

Discipline-specific expertise is also required in the assessment team. A person with experience in social mobilization may not be able to identify all health issues. Health workers may also require additional expert support regarding protection, gender risks, or inclusivity. Therefore, a joint assessment does not merely mean sending many people to fill out a single form; it means individuals with different knowledge understanding needs together.

Clarity in relief prioritization

Along with search, rescue, and relocation to safe places, needs for water, sanitation, health, food, and shelter must be addressed in a timely manner. These tasks cannot be carried out in the same sequence everywhere. Depending on local risks, several services may need to be operated simultaneously.