Emergency response and preparedness
During 2007 Concern implemented 34 projects in emergency contexts in 20 countries.
The range of programme activities was broad but reflected Concern’s emergency programme focus on the provision of reproductive and child health, environmental health (water and sanitation), nutrition, food security, shelter and related infrastructure inputs.
In 2007, 20 countries (out of 30) responded to an emergency, or continued to implement emergency/rehabilitation projects that had commenced prior to 2007. We (either directly or through partners) assisted over 2.9 million people with emergency interventions in 2007. Drought and floods were the most common emergency to which we responded, but conflict still plays a major role as a trigger for emergency response interventions.
Outcomes
Concern undertook three emergency evaluations in 2007. The emergency responses were evaluated in terms of their timeliness, efficiency and appropriateness. The evaluations
concluded that the projects were implemented effectively despite facing considerable challenges.
Targeting was robust and beneficiary involvement was appropriate to each context.
Concern aims not only to respond to emergencies as they arise but also to work with
vulnerable communities to reduce the frequency and impact of disasters. In 2007 we conducted a baseline assessment to establish awareness, knowledge and application of Disaster Risk Reduction as an approach and identify examples of good practice.
The aim is to incorporate risk analysis in all programme design in order to reduce vulnerability in our target group by helping them better manage risk. We will aim to
implement the lessons learnt in 2008.
