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.
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.
This document presents guidelines for the Domestic Facilitation and Regulation of International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance (the IDRL Guidelines). The guidelines are a set of recommendations to governments on how to prepare their disaster laws and plans for the common regulatory problems in international disaster relief operations. They advise them as to the minimal quality standards they should insist upon in humanitarian assistance, as well as the kinds of legal facilities aid-providers need to do their work effectively.
Overview
The guidelines look at:
Core responsibilities: of affected states; of assisting actors; additional responsibilities of all states; and responsibilities concerning diversion and the intended use of resources.
Early warning and preparedness: early warning; legal, policy and institutional frameworks; and regional and international support for domestic capacity.
Initiation and termination of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance: initiation; initiation of military relief; and termination.
Eligibility for legal facilities: facilities for assisting humanitarian organisations; and facilities for other assisting actors.
Legal facilities for entry and operations: personnel; goods and equipment; special goods and equipment; transport; temporary domestic legal status; taxation; security; extended hours; and costs.
Usage: Policy guidance
Audiences: National Society leadership; Technical staff
Citation: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2011). Introduction to the Guidelines for the Domestic Facilitation and Regulation of International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance (pp. 1-28).
