Experts sent to help countries cope with aftermath of natural disasters

The Commonwealth Service Abroad Programme (CSAP) was launched in 2001 to provide technical assistance to member countries through the use of volunteers.

It currently places 30 volunteer experts a year to help member countries. Volunteers under CSAP have also been deployed in response to national disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami and Pakistan earthquake.

Since its establishment, the CSAP programme has implemented a number of projects which aim to help countries in times of emergency and reconstruction, utilising networks and expertise from across the Commonwealth. As well as sending volunteers through CSAP, the Commonwealth Secretariat also deploys paid specialists to give support to governments to minimise the impact of disasters and help develop new strategies.

In December 2004, the Indian Ocean earthquake produced one of the largest tsunamis witnessed in living memory. Maldives, one of five Commonwealth countries affected by this tsunami, was sent into a state of emergency with 82 confirmed deaths and 180 suspected missing.

At the request of the Government of Maldives, the Secretariat sent an expert in managing disasters who provided input into short, medium and long-term national reconstruction strategies, which led to an overall national reconstruction plan. The expert also provided further inputs into the development of this plan to enhance their ability to deal with future natural disasters.

Following this assessment, a further request was submitted by the government for support to its health sector. Consequently, between January 2005 and May 2006, 23 volunteer doctors and one bio-medical engineer were successfully placed in Maldives by CSAP for periods ranging from one to six months.

The doctors provided health relief, medical care and support. In addition, many of them worked with local health workers to develop and deliver training for local communities in preventive health and maternal care.

“The doctors touched the lives of people in desperate need of the most basic medical help and they too were touched by the generous spirit and determination of the islanders who were struggling to make sense of what had happened to them,” writes Lainy Malkani in ‘Delivering Hope: The Commonwealth’s Response to the Tsunami in the Maldives’.

Following recommendations from these doctors, additional support is being provided to strengthen and support the health care delivery system. The project has supported the strengthening of the Medical Council of the Maldives and in developing training of trainers for regional health care managers.

Another of the Secretariat’s projects took place in Pakistan, also affected by an earthquake in October 2005, where general medical care and surgical procedures were provided through the deployment of 17 medical professionals.

Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan which swept over Grenada on 7 September 2004, the Secretariat put together a three-year assistance package aimed at helping Grenada rebuild its shattered economy.

This package included technical support for reconstructing schools, public and historic buildings, and roads; reviving the nutmeg industry, a major income earner for the country; and a two-year programme of planned assistance to the Agency for Reconstruction and Development. A livestock expert is still stationed on the island until 2010 to help rebuild the livestock sector as well.

Julius Kaberere, an Adviser for CSAP, said: “Over 200 million people have been affected every year by disasters and the numbers will continue to rise as the incidences of disasters, especially weather related, increase due to climate change.

“Building on the past and current activities, we plan to continue to develop this programme of work in collaboration with all key stakeholders within the Commonwealth.”

Since mid-2001, more than 200 project requests have been received by CSAP from 25 countries. Responding at a rate of 15 a year, at any point of time, some 30 projects are ongoing and in implementation while another 30 projects are at the design and development stage.

Key Links:

• Governance
• Commonwealth Service Abroad Programme