Disaster Response

To survive a disaster – a drought, a tsunami, or even a war – is one thing. To thrive afterward is another. Since ADRA prepares for the worst, it can help survivors quickly – and effectively – with food, water, shelter, clothes, and medical care when they need it most. Children are safe. Families remain together. Then, ADRA provides solid, visible solutions for the future and a dignified way out of hopelessness.

 

Concept

ADRA-UK provides highly skilled and motivated volunteers to support the ADRA international network in responding to disasters around the world. Disaster Response Volunteers also play a key role in promoting the work of ADRA-UK in their home communities.

ADRA-UK maintains a surge capacity of Disaster Response Volunteers so that it can offer help and assistance to its partners when required. These volunteers all have specific skills or professions that can be used in the event of a disaster to alleviate suffering for affected communities.

 

Scope

Whilst this surge capacity of volunteers is maintained and supported by ADRA-UK, when deployed the volunteer may operate under the responsibility and direction of ADRA International or any one of the other ADRA network partners.

 

Commitment varies from volunteer to volunteer, but it would be usual for a volunteer to attend ADRA-UK basic disaster response training in the first year before any deployment. It is also expected that all volunteers will attend annual update training and development. Inclusion on the disaster response team will be reviewed annually with the individual volunteer.

 

 

 

 

Whilst it is recognised that no volunteer can commit to a response that is as yet unknown, volunteers are expected to give serious consideration to requests from ADRA-UK to respond. Deployment will be from 2 weeks to 2 months in the emergency phase of a disaster – based on the need of the situation and the volunteers’ availability.

 

Disaster Response Volunteers are expected to bring experience in a particular profession and skill to the team. Whilst ADRA-UK does not provide training in a particular profession or skill, it does expect each volunteer to maintain his or her specific skill outside of this role. Professions and skills in health work, logistics, administration, accountancy, building, carpentry, media/PR and project management are particularly sought however this list is not extensive.

Purpose of the Role

To provide a surge capacity to support the ADRA international network in responding to a disaster in accordance with current ADRA practices.

 

Depending on the profession and skill of the volunteer and the particular request for assistance from the network partner, the role may be directly involved in the disaster response or in providing a critical backstopping function to the ADRA country office.

 

As part of our commitment to provide trained and skilled volunteers, ADRA-UK will provide training and development required for a volunteer to perform their skills in a disaster environment.