COMPONENTS OF DISASTER RELIEF

Communities affected by a disaster often require immediate relief such as shelter, protection and security, food and water, and financial assistance (cash). Relief activities should be undertaken in a way that maintains the dignity of the individual and encourages self-reliance. To deliver effective relief measures, a collaborative effort requiring coordination between the community, government, not-for-profit and private sectors must occur. It is important to recognise that relief and recovery are co-dependent. Relief measures form the initial steps of recovery. Relief is targeted and coordinated as cross disaster management arrangements and is provided to communities according to need. Relief is delivered in a timely manner that supports a transition to recovery and uses mechanisms that represent value for money.