Disaster response
Resource Sheet for Sudden On-set Disaster Responses
The following page aims to give valuable resources to those working in disaster response
teams around the world.
Online discussions with colleagues responding to disasters
Post queries, share resources and see what your peers are saying on the interactive HHR (Humanitarian HR) online discussion forum, for HR practitioners and people managers. Simply email your post here once you have signed up here.
Key HR resources (all resources are free unless indicated)
HR Manual: provides an overall framework for human resource management in field, regional and head offices. The last section also offers a comprehensive framework for a national staff handbook with workable templates, including appraisal forms and employment contracts.(£75 for People In Aid members, £150 for non members)
Policy Guidelines: including policy templates on Child Protection; Induction, Briefing, Handovers Guidelines; Rest and Relaxation; Safety and Security, Performance Management
Policy Bank (FREE for People In Aid members): especially all the Health and Safety Policies includes travel policies, emergency evacuation, H&S etc
Enhancing Staff Security
Relief Worker Burnout
Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial support in Emergency settings
Employment Reference Guidelines for the Sector
The EPN (now HHR) 7 conference in 2005, following the Tsunami in Asia focused on Management Development for Emergencies (Day 1 holds useful reflections for lessons learnt from past emergencies)
Approaches to Staff Care in International NGOs
Supporting Staff Responding to Disasters: Recruitment, Briefing and On-going Care. (£7.50 for People In Aid members, £15.00 for non members) The handbook contains certain sections in Spanish
• Appendix 3: Common symptoms of stress or trauma/ Síntomas comunes del estrés o trauma
• Appendix 4: Stress Management strategies/ Estrategias para el manejo del estrés
Recruitment
Managing People In Emergencies Website
International Recruitment Resource Sheet
Human Resources related roles can be advertised on HHR Online, Join here, or if you are already a member, post your advert in an email.
Case Studies
Office In A Box: Mercy Corps (MC) has developed Office in a Box (OIB) to expedite program start-up in emergency contexts and to ensure comprehensive, compliant and consistent implementation of operational procedures
Useful General Links
AlertNet has launched an Emergency Information Service for those affected by natural disasters
Relief Web gives operational coverage, and includes Situation Reports
ALNAP has a Lessons Paper 'Responding to earthquakes 2008: 'Learning from earthquake relief and recovery operations' which aims to provide learning from 29 different earthquake responses over thirty years
LINGOS: Local salary and benefits survey (Charge for participation) www.lingosurvey.com/lingo
Headington institute: The CARD Directory is an international online directory of professional counsellors
InterHealth: travel medical clinic also offers travel medical services, psychological health and occupational health services and works with a number of UK based INGOs
Chile Earthquake
As well as the above, the following resources are of use to agencies working in the disaster response in Chile following the earthquake on 27/02/10.
Key Spanish Resources
Human Resource and People Management Resources available in Spanish
The People In Aid website is viewable in Spanish, French and English (use the links at the top of the page to swap language)
People In Aid newsletters are available to view in English, French and Spanish
Managing People In Emergencies website: guidelines and checklists to plan, recruit, deploy and manage staff in an emergency is also available to view in Spanish, French and English
Mental Health Workers Without Borders – Coping with Disasters: is available in Spanish and English
Travel disruptions due to Volcanic Ash (April 2010)
We have received many questions from member organisations on how to treat staff absences as a result of the recent travel disruptions (caused by volcanic ash from the eruption in Iceland).
Some suggested outcomes are listed below.
Suggestions for staff stranded following work trips
Staff are encouraged to continue working as best they can from their current location, assuming access to internet, mobile phones or the country offices. The Federation of Small Businesses says that if staff are stranded after going overseas on business they should continue to be paid as normal. One member suggests that normal guidelines in relation to expenses is to be followed (minus any allowances that may be given directly by airlines and or insurance)
Suggestions for staff stranded following holidays
The possibility of working from a holiday location may be limited. Some agencies are allowing discretionary leave, whilst others are agreeing a 50:50 arrangement (50% employee holiday and 50% organisation gifted time). If the member of staff decides they would prefer not to work, despite there being a possibility, then they should take annual leave. If staff have run out of leave, good practice would allow employees to use leave days from the following year if employers are not prepared to allow staff extra time off.
You can debate and discuss the issues affecting you now on HHR online here. If you are not yet a member of HHR Online, you can register here.
More on staff absences: