This is a summary overview of what is in the IFRC Recovery programming guidance, 2012. It has been designed for use primarily by managers, decision makers and senior practitioners, including National Society and IFRC personnel who may have had limited experience of recovery but who wish to consider this more actively in disaster response. It aims to promote a common approach to recovery amongst National Societies and IFRC in order to strengthen programme quality in enabling communities to build more resilience as quickly as possible after disasters and crises.
The guidance can be used in conjunction with the IFRC guidelines listed at the end of this summary (page 13-15) and in technical manuals that exist elsewhere.
Purpose: The document is aimed to provides data analysis and lessons from experiences in the following SOPs in the period from April 2010 to April 2011 and recommendations for updating as necessary. The main objectives of the SOPs are:
to ensure an efficient working process
to ensure clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the Federation Secretariat representation with regard to
the management of disaster response and early recovery operations
the facilitation and coordination of international assistance in support of a National Society engaged in disaster response and early recovery within Asia Pacific.
Overview: This document outlines the standard operating procedures (SoPs) for disaster response and early recovery for the IFRC Secretariat within Asia Pacific zone. The AP SOPs reflect the revised roles and responsibilities of the International Federation Secretariat’s offices in Asia Pacific, based on the Secretariat’s decentralisation process and the outcomes from regional meetings and operational reviews over the past three years. It includes principles and policies, involved parties, tools, the SOP Implementation and SOP Maintenance. Findings and recommendations in two main categories: work process and the roles and responsibilities within that work process.
The purpose of this document is to present the work processes and clarify the roles and responsibilities of IFRC Secretariat representation and Country Team with regard to the operational management of disaster response and early recovery operations, and the coordination of international assistance in support of a National Society.
Overview:
This paper defines the standard operating procedures (SoPs) for disaster response and early recovery for the IFRC Secretariat within Asia Pacific zone. It includes principles and policies, involved parties, tools, the SOP Implementation and SOP Maintenance
The guidance aims to strengthen the results of disaster response by promoting a common approach to recovery amongst National Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It is hoped that this will strengthen programme quality. The desired result is that communities will be enabled to build more resilient lives as quickly as possible after disaster and crisis.
There are various situations in which thinking about recovery is important. They fall into the following three categories:
early recovery planning alongside the initial relief response
recovery at the point when communities begin to get back on their feet following disaster and crisis
recovery as part of contingency planning and disaster preparedness activities.
Overview:
Section 1: Introduction – This provides the rationale for the guidance and the main references.
Section 2: Understanding the approach to recovery programming – This provides the theoretical background and definitions linked to recovery and IFRC ways of working. It describes the recovery programming approach and explains how recovery is linked to disaster management, including relief and longer-term programming. It also explains Red Cross Red Crescent Movement added value in recovery programming.
Section 3: Key strategic issues to make for recovery programming – This provides a summary of nine key strategic issues that need to be considered when developing or updating an operational strategy considering recovery. These are: 1. framing programming within the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement 2. ensuring the programme strengthens resilience 3. building on systematic and ongoing assessment and analysis 4. ensuring integrated or multi-sectoral programming 5. considering cross-cutting issues 6. making use of innovative approaches such as cash transfers and market support programming 7. building strong coordination both within and outside the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement 8. securing sufficient and realistic resources 9. building on or contributing to the National Societies’ own development.
Section 4: Practical application of the recovery approach to the programme cycle – This provides guidance on how to include recovery-related components into the programme cycle when designing a recovery programme that can be included in a disaster response PoA. This includes: • assessing and analysing recovery needs through a detailed assessment • situation analysis and response options analysis • planning and designing the recovery programme • planning monitoring and evaluation of the recovery programme • implementation-specific issues to be aware of, including transition and exit.
Annexes: IFRC Recovery guidance annexes – This provides useful reference tools and further details of topics covered in the main text such as integrated programing, considering cross-cutting issues and deciding on cash transfer options. It includes both a comprehensive checklist for ensuring the recovery approach is being applied throughout the planning stages and an in-depth assessment checklist.
