1. Purpose
This protocol tells you how CARE makes key decisions about an emergency. These are:
- what type of emergency it is (1, 2 or 3 - see protocol A2)
- whether we will respond (yes or no)
- how we will respond (see the box below)
- any major changes to our response.
How will CARE respond?
This includes:
- key interventions and overall strategy
- our fundraising target
- who will carry out the response on the ground (CARE directly, CARE directly with a partner, or another group with support from CARE)
- key policy and advocacy issues
- people, equipment and funds the CO needs from CI
- how we will share information: frequency of sitreps, communication lines
2. Policy
Who makes the decisions?
Everyone in CCG should agree on decisions if possible. If the whole group cannot agree, the CI ERD can decide. (This is because they are in charge of CARE's overall response to emergencies.)
Note on CCG
See protocol A1 for details on who is in the CCG and what it does.
How do they decide?
To decide whether and how to respond, CARE looks at:
- how serious the emergency is (see protocol A2 for how we decide this)
- the humanitarian service gap- how well agencies other than CARE can look after the people who need help (see protocol A2 for how we decide this)
- whether this is part of our humanitarian mandate
- CARE's capability to deliver prompt and adequate relief- staffing, funds, logistics etc.
When do they decide?
A good response is one that helps people as soon as possible. So CARE must make its key decisions as quickly as possible. This means:
- Sudden emergency in a country where CARE has a CO: within 24 to 48 hours after the emergency begins.
- Emergency in a country where CARE does not operate: as soon as there is enough information to decide.
- Emergency that starts slowly: in response to early warnings or EPP triggers.
- Chronic emergency: in response to a spike in humanitarian needs or a critical event.
The CO should respond as soon as possible when a response is clearly needed. Do not wait for CCG decisions before you act to save lives.
Response decisions need to be based on good judgment and the information you can get at the time. They do not have to wait for detailed information.
3. Instructions
These are the actions to take when deciding about an emergency response.
|
When and what
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Responsible
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Involved
|
|
|
Immediately
Prepare an emergency alert and email it to the Lead Member and CEG (See protocol B3)
|
Country Director
|
CO ERT
LM Line Manager
LM Emergency Director
HEO
REC
ERD
|
|
Within 24 to 48 hours
Gather as much information as possible to help make key decisions. Be ready to make recommendations about these.
|
CO ERT
CD
|
LM Line Manager
LM Emergency Director
HEO
REC
|
| Start initial response. Do not wait to complete other steps before doing this if it is clearly needed. |
CD |
ERT
LM line manager
LM emergency director
HEO
REC
ERD
|
|
Organise a conference call for CCG (see standard agenda in box below) to make key decisions.
|
ERD
|
Country Director
LM Line Manager
LM Emergency Director
HEO
CI Security Director
|
|
Tell CI what CCG has decided
|
ERD
|
HEO
CI Media/Information Coordinator
|
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When needed
Organise follow-up CCG calls to make any further decisions.
|
ERD
|
Country Director
LM Regional Manager
LM Emergency Director
HEO
|