Salford creates action plan for disaster recovery

Researchers at the University of Salford have created a toolkit which can be used by governments, charities and the UN to maximise the efficiency and speed of rebuilding areas hit by major disasters.

The Generic Disaster Management and Reconstruction Process Protocol was commissioned by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to help agencies bridge the gap between the immediate need of providing humanitarian aid, and longer term reconstruction that needs to be sustainable, free of corruption and makes best use of available resources.

To accomplish this, the Protocol identifies key phases such as pre-event and the immediate aftermath, each containing a list of actions for governments and other organisations to take to ensure a minimised loss of life and a swift recovery.

Each action point is then backed up with documentation and further information – meaning that in a disaster area, those rebuilding can quickly take the right action and implement it effectively.

The Protocol came about following the extensive rebuilding needed after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 which showed that built environment professionals were urgently needed in disaster situation, but had no unifying plan to operate from.

Andrew Fleming from the university’s school of the built environment drew up the action plan. He said: “A disaster situation often creates a lot of confusion .Numerous bodies such as charities, emergency services and government agencies don’t always work together in the most efficient manner to quickly rebuild and stabilise the situation.

“The Protocol is designed to solve that problem not only in the short-term but also to create a long-term strategy to prepare for future incidents.”

The next step Fleming’s team is to test and deploy the plan in real-life situations. Fleming is currently working with the RICS on a consultation group of RICS Disaster Management Commissioners, leading charities and consultants, and the British Red Cross is looking to use the Protocol in one of its ongoing projects.

Fleming said: “Sadly, it is inevitable that there will be future disasters. But if we can learn from each one then the damage to human life and property can be minimised and more effective rebuilding can take place.

“With the co-operation of the RICS and humanitarian charities like the Red Cross we have a good chance of making this happen.”