An Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is a team of trained technical specialists, ready to be deployed at short notice, which uses pre-packed sets of standardized equipment. ERUs are designed to be self-sufficient for one month and can operate for up to four months. The ERUs are vital in the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) disaster response tools system.
ERUs were created in 1994 to give immediate support to National Societies in disaster-affected countries. They provide specific support or direct services when local facilities are either destroyed, overwhelmed by need, or do not exist. ERUs work with Field Assessment Coordination Teams (FACT).
The need for assistance may continue beyond an ERU’s four-month operational period. If so, the service can be managed by the IFRC’s ongoing operation, the host National Society, the local government or other organisation/s.
Types of ERU:
Basic health care ERU
The basic health care ERU provides immediate health care for up to 30,000 people. The unit can provide basic outpatient services, maternal-child health, community health outreach, immunization and nutritional surveillance. It has a 20-bed capacity for overnight observation only - more serious cases are referred to hospital.
Logistics ERU
A logistics ERU coordinates and provides immediate support to the incoming relief supply line, including customs clearance, warehousing, transportation and support to other ERUs. It also tracks incoming relief goods.
Water and sanitation ERU
There are three water and sanitation ERU modules available, according to the volume of water, quality of water needed, the number of beneficiaries and locations.
• Water and sanitation module 15 can provide treatment and distribution of up to 225,000 litres of water a day for a population of 15,000 people but requires a local water source. The unit can also provide basic sanitation for up to 5,000 people. There is distribution and trucking capacity for the transport of up to 75,000 litres of treated water a day to dispersed populations, with the facility to set up nine different storage and distribution points.
• Water and sanitation module 40 can provide treatment and distribution of water for a population of up to 40,000 people. It can treat up to 600,000 litres a day and requires a local surface water supply. It has the same distribution and trucking capacity as the water and sanitation module 15.
• Mass sanitation module 20 can provide basic sanitation facilities for up to 20,000 people as well as be used to initiate hygiene and health promotion programmes.
Referral hospital facilities ERU
This ERU is a first-level referral hospital, or field hospital, and provides essential surgical and medical care for up to 250,000 people. It can treat 120–150 inpatients and its services include an operating theatre, intensive observation, anaesthesia, x-ray, laboratory, maternal-child health, pharmacy, sterilization and outpatient clinics. For larger populations, two existing referral hospital ERUs can be combined. A modular Rapid Deployment Hospital, consisting of two 4x4 Land Cruisers and trailers, with all the necessary medical and logistics supplies to cover the crucial first ten days after a disaster, can expand the capacity of a referral hospital ERU or be converted for community outreach.
IT and Telecommunications ERU
The information technology and telecommunications ERU re-establishes local communications networks and connects field operations and the secretariat in Geneva to ensure the smooth flow of information and operational coordination.
Relief ERU
A relief ERU supports a National Society to carry out relief assessments and assists in setting up relief distributions and camps. It works closely with the logistics ERU.
Base camp
The base camp is deployed like an ERU and provides living and working accommodation for Red Cross Red Crescent staff engaged in emergency operations. It offers tented accommodation, toilets and showers, recreational facilities, a kitchen, offices, administrative, IT/communication and coordination facilities in locations where these are not available.