DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMME LEARNING CONFERENCE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO CONFERENCE PACK

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1 DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMME LEARNING CONFERENCE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO CONFERENCE PACK

2 LOCALLY LED PREPAREDNESS THE EXPERIENCE OF NORTH KIVU PROVINCE The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is among the countries in the world most exposed to multi-hazards. The DRC National Strategy and the Action Plan for Natural Disaster Risk Reduction notes that: There is a risk of almost all types of natural disaster in the Democratic Republic of Congo such as; earthquakes, landslides, floods, torrential rains, gas emissions, strong winds, locust invasions, forest fires, drought, mudslides and soil erosion. A number of initiatives are aiming to reduce the impact of natural and man-made disasters by increasing countries preparedness levels and capacity to respond, notably the Sendai Framework globally and the National Strategy Action Plan for Natural Disaster Reduction in DR Congo. The latter aligns with the Sendai framework in the sense that it aims to: equip the country with all the instruments, strategic and operational mechanisms for DRR and develop prevention and mitigation tools in order to ensure preparedness to disasters. Similarly, the Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP) works to develop an effective humanitarian response where it is needed the most by significantly improving the way countries deal with people caught up in a disaster or conflict. It also aims at integrating collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a culture of learning that will make preparedness more effective at all levels, from local to international. It is in this regard that this conference for sharing learning and experiences from disaster preparedness and emergency response was organised by the DEPP Learning Project in Goma on the 7th November 2017 under the theme Locally led Preparedness - Experiences from the North Kivu. The Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP) is a 3-year programme funded by UK AID and managed by the Start and CDAC Networks. It consists of 14 projects in 10 focal countries, each implemented by a consortium of agencies. The DEPP ks to improve the effectiveness of response by investing in local and national networks and strengthening the capacity of local actors to enable them to engage meaningfully in humanitarian coordination systems and respond more effectively to emergencies. In DRC there are six operating projects focusing on a range of themes from early warning systems, resilience and capacity building, to localisation and protection, namely: Talent Development, Shifting the Power, Linking Preparedness, Response & Resilience, Alert, Protection in Practice and the Learning Project. 2

3 The involvement of all actors including the community in the design, planning, and implementation and monitoring of responses would provide good resilience to disasters. However, the protection of civilians is the exclusive preserve of the State. If it does not play its role, any initiative would not be effective The conference overall objective was to: Provide a space for disaster preparedness and response practitioners to share experiences and connect with each other to strengthen collaboration at country level. Specifically to: Gather the experiences of DEPP and non-depp partners (good practices, bad practices, challenges and lessons learned) Connect DEPP partners to non-depp partners in order to improve country-level collaboration among humanitarian actors. Make stakeholders aware of the commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016, especially on improving local actors involvement in the local humanitarian system. Promote the Learning Platform, the Charter for Change, the Grand Bargain specifically and the localisation agenda in general. 60 PARTICIPANTS OF WHICH THERE WERE: WOMEN L/NNGO STAFF INGOS STAFF PUBLIC SECTOR STAFF MEDIA STAFF UN/DONOR STAFF Achievements The conference sensitised DEPP and Non-DEPP actors on the commitments made during the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016, linked DEPP partners with non-depp actors to improve collaboration between humanitarian actors at country level, and shared experiences from disaster preparedness and emergency response. This report explores the emerging themes and points discussed during the conference, identifies recommendations to key disasters and preparedness actors, and confirms next steps to take these recommendations forward. Cover Photo: The crater of the Nyiragongo Volcano. The photo was taken by the VGO during routine monitoring of the volcano 3

4 PROGRAMME LOCALY LED PREPAREDNESS in THE DRC THE EXPERIENCE OF NORTH KIVU PROVINCE ORGANISOR: YVES NGUNZI, COUNTRY LEARNING ADVISOR, DEPP LEARNING PROJECT, ACTION AGAINST HUNGER UK SESSION LINKS THE GVO (OVG) S ROLE IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE Mandate, successes, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations. Goma Volcanogical Observatory (GVO/OVG) by Kaseseka Mahina, Scientific Director ROLE OF CIVIL PROTECTION IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE Mandate, successes, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations. Civilian Protection by Joseph Kakundi, Provincial Coordinator ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE Mandate, successes, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations. UNPC(Union Nationale de la Presse du Congo), by Rosalie Zawadi, Provincial Coordinator OCHA S ROLE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD HUMANITARIAN SUMMIT S COMMITMENTS OF MAY 2016 OCHA, by Daniel Ahala, Officer Assistant Humanitarian Affairs 4

5 PROGRAMME Photo: CARITAS GOMA. Flooding in Bihamwe/Masisi territory in North Kivu province, 19 September 2017, torrential rains caused the Osso River to overflow killing over 90 people, damaging livestock, food crops, infrastrucuture and sources of drinking water SESSION LINKS WOMEN AND CHILDREN S PARTICIPATION IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE What worked well and what did not? Lessons learned ZOA-DRC, by Timothée Rukundo, Assistant Program Advisor NATIONAL STAFF CAPACITY REINFORCEMENT AS A STEP FORWARD IN LOCALISATION MDF, by Irene Moed Consultant Trainer CARITAS GOMA EXPERIENCE Caritas GOMA, by Eddy Yamwenziyo, Head of Emergency Department DEPP LEARNING PROJECT: ROLE AND PERSPECTIVES Action Against Hunger UK, by Blandina Bobson, Learning Advisor for Kenya Additional Presentations A further six presentations were submitted for the conference, you can access them here*: Protection in Preparedness and Response - Oxfam Heal Africa Presentation Presentation by BIFERD Presentation by CBCA and Christian Aid Cedier Oxfam, South Kuvu Uvira Civil Protection Cif Dante - The Relationship Between Resilience, Preparedness and Response to Emergencies * Please note that all presentations are in French. 5

6 FURTHERING THE LOCALISATION AGENDA KEY DISCUSSIONS AND EMERGING POINTS MEDIA INVOLVEMENT IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE Existing Good Existing Bad Challenges In the event of a likely disaster the media is mandated to inform the population. The media plays a preventive role: in a sensitive zone, the media prepare populations to adopt the best behaviour in case of emerging disaster situations. The media prepare the inhabitants mentally; have them accept that a disaster may occur and that it is every body s duty to prepare their family members for them not to be victims by ignorance or fear. No government grants to support media work (information and educational), despite it being useful to the community. Journalists and the media in general are harassed (over taxation, low liberty of press). Communication between government actors is ineffective. Political interests take precedence over humanitarian interests and communication is guided by political ambitions/aspirations. The means of production used by the media are often insufficient. Official sources are not open/transparent (absence of an accountability culture). The media is sometime a power or a propaganda tool; information is subject to censorship by the state authority, and there is low freedom of press. Lessons learned Whether officially mandated or not, the media are an important stakeholder in disaster management. Apart from the fact that they are meant to facilitate rapid dissemination of information, it is important to reach a consensus with them for coordinated dissemination of messages relating to risks prevention and / or management to limit panic. Lack of communication coordination in risk/disaster areas can cost lives of citizens. Official sources failure to provide accurate information to the public may fuel rumours. 6

7 PROTECTION OF POPULATIONS AT RISK, MITIGATION AND RESILIENCE TO RISKS Existing Good National risk reduction strategy and a provincial council for risk prevention and disaster management. Community Network of voluntary observers for Civil Protection with 12,456 active members. The Green Line phone lines process for members of the public to report vulcanic activity, supported by a website for Early Warning Systems by the North and South Kivu Civil Protection services. Available equipment and sirens in case of fire or volcanic eruption. Contingency plan for evacuation and response, as well as a fund for some NGOs to ensure intervention within 72 hours. In North Kivu: the existence of a volcanological observatory which ensures daily monitoring recording volcanic activity, tectonic earthquakes, climatic parameters and other early warning signs. VGO collaboration with other observatories around the world - the result of a concerted effort together with other national and international scientists. Free distribution of the weekly OVG newsletter by all local media. Existing Bad Challenges No funds prepositioned by the government for actors to intervene in case of disaster. Emergency operations centres are very far from the disaster. Lack of a specific law for DRR in the DRC, and lack of means and measures for taking DRR into account in sectoral laws. Existing laws do not often link to adaptation to climate change. Low or no local governance or decentralisation of responsibilities. Lack of information exchange channels for cross-cutting services. Lack of/little budget allocated to DRR, existing resources too low to implement sufficient activities. Few partners support programs for prevention and response. Most partners fund short-term projects that do not allow communities and L/NNGOs to sustain their activities. Weak involvement of the government: not taking the lead in disaster preparedness coordination, emergency response, or mobilisation of funds or materials. Disaster Risk Management Sector is underfunded because funding is primarily allocated to major crises such as conflict. Lessons learned The involvement of all actors including the community in the design, planning, and implementation and monitoring would provide good resilience to disasters. The protection of civilians is the exclusive preserve of the state. If the government does not play its role initiative will not be effective or sustainable. 7

FURTHERING THE LOCALISATION AGENDA KEY DISCUSSIONS AND EMERGING POINTS WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE S INVOLVEMENT IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE Existing Good Existing Bad Challenges

8 FURTHERING THE LOCALISATION AGENDA KEY DISCUSSIONS AND EMERGING POINTS WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE S INVOLVEMENT IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE Existing Good Existing Bad Challenges Lessons learned Taking women and young people into account in disasters preparedness and emergency response. Advocacy actions conducted by women and young people. Women and young people are slowly becoming more responsible in their communities. Low participation of women in local governance structures. Lack of implementation of policies and procedures encouraging participation of women Weak implementation of national policy in the promotion of women and young people. Slow change in men s attitudes towards women (customs and tradition significantly play a part). A common vision and participation of all (women, young people, men, and children) would foster good preparedness and resilience in disaster situations. Although the communities are victims of disasters and crises, they often have capacity to and will benefit from being involved in the disasters management cycle (Programming, Evaluations, Planning and Response). Good preparation of women, children and young people would contribute to reducing the effects of disasters on households. Photo: by VGO. The Nyiragongo Volcano and Goma city, photo taken during a routine monitoring of the volcano 8

9 COORDINATION OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES ACTION Existing Good Existing Bad Challenges Lessons learned Provincial Council/Committee for Prevention of Risks and Disaster Management in place at provincial level. DEPP and non-depp partners work with the state technical services in disaster management, and participate in existing mechanisms for humanitarian coordination including clusters and OCHA coordination meetings. Talks are under way between the Congolese and Rwandan governments to finalise the establishment of a mechanism for working synergistically in disaster preparedness with a focus on volcanoes and the response to emergencies. Weak authority of the government in the coordination of emergencies, OCHA usually takes the lead. For some government services involved in emergencies the decision centre is far removed from the emergency location, thus speed and efficiency in preparation and response suffers. Weak coordination between existing early warning systems in North Kivu Province. Little advocacy for mobilizing funds related to disaster management and emergencies. Low involvement of the government in funding preparedness, prevention and response activities. Weak practical mechanisms to accompany existing legal texts relating to the coordination of prevention, preparedness, response and resilience activities. Networking increases the possibility of obtaining effective results and quality. The availability of contingency funds allows organisations to be proactive in emergencies (responding within 72 hours). Weak coordination of disaster management leads to inefficiencies of interventions and hinders sustainability. National organisations and religious groups are able to respond quickly to a crisis. Weak involvement of government in preparedness and response mechanism is a burden to the efforts of actors in the field. Low level of community ownership of disaster risk reduction programmes increases vulnerability. Poor communication between stakeholders and beneficiaries during the targeting and assistance process disrupts the operationalisation of assistance. 9

10 RECOMMENDATIONS CONGOLESE STATE / GOVERNMENT PRIVATE SECTOR MEDIA & INFORMATION STRUCTURES The following recommendations emerged from consolidating everything we had discussed over the full day. They aim to give concrete and actionable next steps to the key identified stakeholders: Congolese State/Government actors, UN Agencies, Donors and International Organisations, National Organisations, Private Sector, Media and other education/information structures. Approve the DRC National Strategy and the Action Plan for Natural Disaster Risk Coordinate Humanitarian Action rather than act in a supporting role at an adhoc basis. Issue and put into force a law governing DRR, and set up a standalone Ministry of Disaster and Emergency Preparedness. Allocate funds for disaster preparedness and response in annual budgets. Decentralise decision-making power for effective and rapid emergency response to crises (within 72 hours): define roles and responsibilities by administrative level and in function of the extent/magnitude of the threat or the crisis. Coordinate early warnings. Mobilise financial and human resources for both disaster preparedness and emergency response. Develop and put in place coordinated texts on cross-cutting aspect of disaster risks prevention and management. Provide the civil protection authorities with the necessary means to allow them to act effectively. Put in place a clear policy defining volunteerism and support the establishment of volunteer structures at the community level. Promote collaboration between the Congo Red Cross and youth movements such as Scouts, children s parliaments, governments and school committees, and student committees. Work closely with authorities and other relevant actors for the reduction of disasters consequences on investments. Participate in the development and funding of community recovery plans in the spirit of Public-Private Partnership. Work towards integration of empirical and scientific knowledge in disaster preparedness and emergency response. Capitalise on empirical knowledge by scientists for consistent messages. Proceed to the identification of early warning empirical knowledge and compare it with scientific knowledge to communicate reliable message to the population. Set up a technical information and communication unit in partnership with the Goma Volcanological Observatory (GVO/OVG), the media representatives and the provincial authority s communication service. Conduct regular update and popularisation of the communication tree. Develop community disaster risk reduction plans and update them regularly. Decentralise the civil protection service to the level of the lowest entities (quarters, neighborhoods or avenues). 10

11 UN AGENCIES, DONORS AND INGOS Promote multi-year projects/planning by reinforcing preparedness and communities resilience to face disaster risks and emergency situations. Involve L/NNGOs in strategic decision-making mechanisms for management of and access to humanitarian funds. Support research on disasters prevention and community preparedness. Make disaster prevention programmes a priority in the same way response to major armed conflict crises is. Support the provision of sufficient contingency funds to the Government and L/NNGOs for repositioning and response capacity within 72 hours of the crisis. Support the capacity building of the community and local humanitarian system that has a clear road map for the realisation of the various commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, and other related commitments. Strengthen collaboration with state technical services through their involvement in the project cycle. Support the implementation of DRR policies and strategies in member states in line with the spirit of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 42/196 of December 1987 recommending that member states participate in the International Decade for Natural Disasters Reduction (IDNDR). Facilitate the establishment of permanent structures equipped with substantial resources to help victims of natural disasters and other catastrophes. Support disaster risk reduction programmes and projects through schools, universities, and youth and women associations. Invest in women s leadership to ensure their participation in prevention and disaster management. NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS Leverage proximity to risk areas to operate highly effective warning mechanisms based on reliable evidence. Put in place strategies to reduce barriers related to lack of knowledge of financial partners languages, and to mitigate the assumption of low capacity which they are rightly or wrongly accused of. Foster a climate of trust and collaboration between state services, donors and their partners (International NGOs) and the communities they work with. Invest in research in partnership with local universities. Reinforce working in synergy, with more affordable and effective coordination. WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? We are committed to furthering the localisation agenda and have already started work for further action: Following the conference a one-day event was held on the 5th of December with the support of the Shiftig the Power project, bringing together 22 of the conference participants to validate the findings of the conference and develop a policy paper. We will also develop an action plan to follow up on the conference recommendations. 11

12 ANNEX 1: CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE - LIST OF ORGANISATIONS AND ACTORS NATIONAL NGOS AND NETWORKS 1. CARITAS Goma 2. CARITAS CONGO 3. CBCA North Kivu 4. HEAL Africa 5. CONGO AMKENI 6. SOPROP 7. CEDIER 8. Cœur Sans Frontières 9. CEDERU 10. PACODEVI 11. FONAHD RDC 12. RHOND 13. CCONAT 14. CRONGD North Kivu 15. RHA(Rebuilding Hope in Africa) 16. ECC MERU, 17. SHAD/AHSD 18. DJPE 19. BIFERD 20. CIF-Santé 21. GHOLVI 22. SOJEDI 23. UPDDHE/Grands Lacs 24. H.A.I 25. VIS 26. PDO Asbl Don Bosco Ngangi 27. ADEKI asbl/rdc 28. SYLAM UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATIONS AND AGENCIES 1. OCHA North Kivu 12

13 INTERNATIONAL NGOS 1. ZOA- RDCongo 2. ACF France 3. MDF AC 4. CAFOD 5. OXFAM 6. Christian Aid 7. Tearfund 8. SAD-AFRICA INTERNATIONAL Switzerland Right - NGO 9. Action Aid Kenya GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS SUPPORTING STATE SERVICES 1. Provincial Ministry of Health, Social Affairs, Employment and Public Service 2. Provincial Assembly of North Kivu 3. OVG (Volcanic Goma Observatory: VGO) 4. Civil Protection 5. Provincial Division of Humanitarian Affairs North Kivu 6. Provincial Division of Humanitarian Affairs South Kivu 7. Provincial Committee of the Red Cross in North Kivu 8. Special Police of Calamities and Sanitation MEDIA 1. UNPC/NK 2. RTCT 3. RTGB 4. Independent 13

MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES ET EUROPÉENNES 20 December /5 6th World Water Forum Ministerial Process Draft document

MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES ET EUROPÉENNES 20 December 2011 1/5 6th World Water Forum Ministerial Process Draft document 1. We the Ministers and Heads of Delegations assembled in Marseille, France,