1. Coordination Leaders 2003

2. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IN PERSPECTIVE... ASSISTANCE FROM WITHIN THE COUNTRY EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE (1-2%) BILATERAL MULTILATERAL NGOs

3. FROM ONE EXTREME TO THE OTHER 1980’s National sovereignity of the affected country is absolute 1990’s Donor country knows best!

4. ASSISTANCE REQUESTS DISASTER AFFECTED COUNTRY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESIDENCY MINISTRY OF HEALTH CIVIL DEFENSE RED CROSS/NGOs INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS

5. THERE ARE DELAYS BETWEEN THE REQUEST AND THE ARRIVAL OF SUPPLIES ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS PREPARATION OF REQUESTS SUBMISSION TO LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES REVISION BY DONOR AGENCIES CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS DECISION AND PLEDGE OF FORMAL ASSISTANCE PROCUREMENT OF GOODSTRANSPORTATION RECEPTION AND DISTRIBUTION DISASTER IMPACT

6. DURING NORMAL TIMES... I NEED ONE DOCTOR!

7. THE RIGHT THING DISASTER AREA I NEED ONE DOCTOR!

8. PAHO/WHO Cooperation in Disasters coordinates international health assistancecoordinates international health assistance –Caribbean Response Team Provides technical cooperation in the health fieldProvides technical cooperation in the health field

9. Coordinating International Health Assistance participates in the assessment of external health needsparticipates in the assessment of external health needs contributes to OCHA Situation Reports for health matters, medical care, water, nutrition, environmental health,...contributes to OCHA Situation Reports for health matters, medical care, water, nutrition, environmental health,... assumes responsibility for health aspects of UNDAC operations when mobilizedassumes responsibility for health aspects of UNDAC operations when mobilized informs donors of appropriateness of requests/offersinforms donors of appropriateness of requests/offers Cooperation in disasters PAHO/WHO

10. specially trained staff in PAHO country offices and regional centersspecially trained staff in PAHO country offices and regional centers experts from the regional disaster programsexperts from the regional disaster programs consultants from the Regionconsultants from the Region Cooperation in disasters National disaster coordinators are assisted in field assessments by:

11. Assessment of damages and needs Over 100 PAHO experts on-site in Central America + 59 mobilized for this purposeOver 100 PAHO experts on-site in Central America + 59 mobilized for this purpose “Seasoned” disaster experts dispatched “Seasoned” disaster experts dispatched All with a knowledge of local conditions prior to the hurricaneAll with a knowledge of local conditions prior to the hurricane

12. Coordinating External Assistance Generate and disseminate informationGenerate and disseminate information Provide a forum for dialogueProvide a forum for dialogue NGOs and GovernmentsNGOs and Governments Donors and recipientsDonors and recipients

13. Some chaos is an integral part of all disasters Let’s ensure that external humanitarian assistance do not contribute to the ‘secondary disaster’

14. When humanitarian assistance becomes a problem? When humanitarian assistance becomes a problem?

15. Unsolicited donations exceed the absorption capacityUnsolicited donations exceed the absorption capacity Foreign teams bypass the national coordinator and take overForeign teams bypass the national coordinator and take over National priorities are overlookedNational priorities are overlooked National institutions are weakenedNational institutions are weakened

16. External resources and influence may seem overwhelming:External resources and influence may seem overwhelming: –Bilateral agencies –Mighty Military –International NGOs

17. Suggestions A good and realistic assessment of needs:A good and realistic assessment of needs: –Know and tell what you want and DO NOT want Master communications with the mediaMaster communications with the media Go to the donor public directly: Use the InternetGo to the donor public directly: Use the Internet

18. Suggestions Monitor the trend towards humanitarian interventionismMonitor the trend towards humanitarian interventionism Formulate a position at the ECOSOC, OAS, OCS and other political forum:Formulate a position at the ECOSOC, OAS, OCS and other political forum: Clarify the responsibilities for coordinationClarify the responsibilities for coordination Promote UNDAC as a tool at the service of national institutionsPromote UNDAC as a tool at the service of national institutions Support the SUMA approach of strengthening the national capacity rather than substituting it.Support the SUMA approach of strengthening the national capacity rather than substituting it.