Response and contingency planning is a management tool common to National Societies and the Federation’s Secretariat that helps to ensure organizational readiness and that adequate arrangements are made in anticipation of an emergency. Most countries periodically face emergencies so severe that Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian assistance is required. Thoughtful execution of planning can help to ensure that the resource needs for any type or size of disaster, no matter where or when it strikes, are met quickly and effectively.
The disaster response plan
Disaster response planning involves identifying disaster risks, vulnerabilities, impact, organizational resources and capacities, determining roles and responsibilities, and developing policies and procedures and planning activities to reach a level of preparedness for timely and effective response to a disaster should one occur. This planning does not address specific disaster scenarios. Moreover, it is essential in this process to identify gaps and needs. The actual planning process is preliminary in nature and is carried out in a state of uncertainty until an actual emergency or disaster occurs. After a disaster occurs, plans must be monitored, evaluated and adapted to the actual situation.
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The contingency plan
As shown in the graphic above, contingency plans are components within an overall disaster response planning process. They should be based on individual specific events or known risks at local, national, regional or even global levels, e.g. earthquakes, floods, etc., and include a concept of operations with anticipated resource requirements, available resources and shortfalls or gaps.
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