Stages of humanitarian relief programs in case of natural catastrophes

It is important that relief programs in case of natural catastrophes be organized in a professional way, going through certain stages in order to increase the efficiency (giving help those who are mostly affected, in goods that they really need) and to minimize the loss of resources. SAMR is devoted to professionalism in providing help for people affected by natural catastrophes.

Stage 0. Evaluation of immediate needs and the available emergency resources. In case of all the social programs in general, but especially in case of emergency interventions, a correct evaluation of the situation makes the support more efficient. Unfortunately, many people forget about it, and seeing the catastrophe that affects tens, hundreds maybe thousands of people they start to send help and forget that there are specialized, professional organizations, which have experience in case of interventions. This stage also includes inventory-taking and synchronization with the other local and central state institutions as well as the other organizations engaged in the action.

Stage 1. Emergency intervention. Emergency interventions aim providing goods of immediate need for the flood victims, but also voluntary work as well as intervention of the specially trained teams (first aid, unimpediment in case of earthquakes, cleaning in case of floods a.s.o.). Goods of basic needs in most of the cases are durable food and goods for personal hygiene.

Simultaneously with the first intervention we evaluate the medium-term and long-term needs (of reconstruction). On medium-term we focus on temporary sheltering of those who lost their homes, repair work of medium emergency on affected homes. Long-term relief always has a prevention aspect, in case the catastrophe happens again we aim to reduce its effects.

Stage 2. Long-term relief. After the first shock and the impulse of the moment which are evident in the emergency aid provided, many people forget about the victims after a while. The Maltese Relief Service initiates the reconstruction of the affected communities. Also in the case of those catastrophes that do not need emergency intervention like drought, we provide long-term relief