Thursday, March 15, 2007
I've been in Guatemala City for a three-day conference of the Emergency Capacity Building Project. That refers to a consortium of six big international NGOs who have been working on various projects over the last 2 years to test methods of coordinating their efforts in 4 different types of projects. One of those projects was Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, my interest here in Guatemala. The funding from the Bill Gates Foundation hasn't been renewed, so this was a meeting to share and compare results.
The meeting was powerful. I got a lot of ideas, new resources and contacts. My counterpart from the Municipality, Tomas, was there too, and I think he was surprised at just what really can be done to prepare for catastrophies, and what a good plan looks like. And it didn't hurt that the meeting was at a posh conference center and accomodations were at an upscale hotel. I really feel fortunate to have been invited to the meeting. I feel that I am learning so much, much more than I can ever give back in return.
The NGO participants were really impressive for their leadership and accomplishments, including Mercycorps, CARE, Oxfam, World Vision, Save the Children, and Catholic Relief Services. Lots of Powerpoint presentations.
This whole process of preparing for disasters seems to come down to four major requirements:
1. Organization at all levels, so responsibilities and needs can be addressed.
2. Secure Communications, so assessments and assistance can be accomplished.
3. A Center of Emergency Operations that can be set up, staffed and functioning rapidly.
4. Instruction, so people know how to prepare, and where to look for help.
We have a long way to go to establish these four pillars of preparation, here.
Meanwhile, things seem to have been quiet at Nueva Sta. Catarina Ixtahuacan. No new fights. I do hear that there have been more meetings and all, but that is the way things should be.
The meeting was powerful. I got a lot of ideas, new resources and contacts. My counterpart from the Municipality, Tomas, was there too, and I think he was surprised at just what really can be done to prepare for catastrophies, and what a good plan looks like. And it didn't hurt that the meeting was at a posh conference center and accomodations were at an upscale hotel. I really feel fortunate to have been invited to the meeting. I feel that I am learning so much, much more than I can ever give back in return.
The NGO participants were really impressive for their leadership and accomplishments, including Mercycorps, CARE, Oxfam, World Vision, Save the Children, and Catholic Relief Services. Lots of Powerpoint presentations.
This whole process of preparing for disasters seems to come down to four major requirements:
1. Organization at all levels, so responsibilities and needs can be addressed.
2. Secure Communications, so assessments and assistance can be accomplished.
3. A Center of Emergency Operations that can be set up, staffed and functioning rapidly.
4. Instruction, so people know how to prepare, and where to look for help.
We have a long way to go to establish these four pillars of preparation, here.
Meanwhile, things seem to have been quiet at Nueva Sta. Catarina Ixtahuacan. No new fights. I do hear that there have been more meetings and all, but that is the way things should be.
