The world is changing fast, more people are becoming vulnerable to disasters or are

forced to cope with acts of violence, financial crises and growing uncertainty, often
without adequate support from their governments. With new challenges to
humanitarian coordination, concerns over standards and accountability, more
capable states and National Societies exercising leadership over humanitarian
response and presenting new opportunities to mobilize the collective resources of
the IFRC in non-traditional ways, the IFRC must learn, adapt, innovate, and lead to
ensure that we remain relevant and achieve greater impact with our humanitarian
work.
Our response
We strive to ensure that a well-functioning, relevant global disaster management
system is in place to address the needs of vulnerable people affected by disasters
and crises, by working as part of an effective global disaster management team to:
Provide leadership for the development of global disaster and crises management
policies and programming approaches, with a focus on disseminating the Principles
and Rules for RCRC Humanitarian Assistance, supporting the process of
strengthening Movement coordination and cooperation.
Promote IFRC-wide tools and capacities for disaster and crises in the areas of
response preparedness and contingency planning, disaster needs assessment, relief
to recovery planning, the scaled-up use of cash in emergencies and global surge
capacity systems.
Improve the timeliness and quality of Emergency Appeal and DREF-supported
operations through Emergency Plans of Action and support to resource mobilisation
efforts.
Measuring impact
Our added value and impact is measured through:
Feedback from National Societies and Federation Secretariat colleagues on the
usefulness of global policies, technical assistance, global representation,
information systems, tools and guidance developed through DCM.
Evaluations of major operations that assess the effectiveness and impact of our
leadership and management support.
The successful deployment of global tools and staff, and their effectiveness and
appropriateness for each operational context.
Quality and timeliness of Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) proposals and
Emergency Appeals (EA).

Further informationPhysical therapists have a significant role in helping

those affected by natural disasters, pandemics and other major
emergencies. WCPT is committed to promoting the engagement of
physical therapists when disasters strike, and to providing member
organisations and individuals with information to guide, prepare and
support them.

It aims to ensure that physical therapists are engaged at an organisational

level so that they can provide services to affected individuals and
communities, save lives and improve outcomes for survivors.

These pages provide information for organisations and individuals

involved or interested in disaster management.

About disaster management

The Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies , supported by the International Federation,
work with communities to reduce risk, mitigate the effects of, prepare to respond, respond to and
recover from disasters.
Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management of resources and
responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular
preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.

- CLICK TO ENLARGE THE GRAPHIC The first people to respond to a disaster are those living in the local community. They are the first
to start rescue and relief operations. The Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies
therefore focus on community-based disaster preparedness, which assists communities to reduce
their vulnerability to disasters and strengthen their capacities to resist them.
When the capacity of a community or country to respond and recover from a disaster is
overwhelmed, and upon request from the National Society, the International Federation uses its
regional and international networks, assets and resources to bring assistance to the communities
and National Red Cross Red Crescent Society which is assisting them. At an international level
the International Federation advocates with Governments, international organisations and
humanitarian donors for better practice and accountability in disaster management and greater
respect of the dignity of the vulnerable people.