Int’l humanitarian groups urged to work with local agencies

MANILA, Philippines - Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman called on international humanitarian groups going to help a disaster-stricken country to “trust” and work with local agencies for quick, orderly and effective disaster relief response.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development and other government agencies have been accused of hampering efforts by international groups to ensure that survivors of Typhoon Yolanda received the goods they donated.

At the Disaster Response Government Dialogue Global Conference held at the Manila Diamond Hotel last week, Soliman told the heads of countries and organizations involved in humanitarian activities that trust paves the way for cooperation needed among governments, donor institutions and non-government organizations in rebuilding the lives of people affected by disasters.

“In disaster operations, trust is the foundation of an effective working relation,” said Soliman, who led the government’s relief efforts in the aftermath of various calamities that hit the country.

Soliman suggested that the approach of international donor organizations should be in the context of the country receiving aid and should encourage use of local resources.

“We need support for the local agencies rather than bringing in people from foreign offices who have yet to familiarize themselves with the political and cultural climate of the country and the affected areas,” Soliman said.

She cited the experience of the DSWD when it led the relief operations after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated Visayas in November last year.

Soliman said that the magnitude of Yolanda’s destruction was so vast that there was room for everyone to help, but this also created a logjam in attending to the needs of the survivors. 

She recounted that because of the large number of donors and new actors, at least three weeks were spent in meeting new faces, leveling off expectations, discussing working protocols, and setting up procedures, among other things.

 “The lack of familiarity with each other made it difficult,” Soliman said.

She noted that one lesson learned from the disaster operations was that experiences and expertise would be most effective if practiced with proper understanding and proper grasp of the context of the situation by those coming in to help.

She also noted that while the financial assistance was overwhelming, a good part of the donation was given outside formal protocols and bypassed procedures and consultation with local authorities in using these to respond to the needs of survivors.

“Most funds from donor-countries in the relief phase went through United Nations agencies and international organizations, yet the public asked government to account for,” Soliman added.

To avoid this, she said all UN agencies and international organizations should coordinate officially with the government for a place within the overall coordinated disaster response.

But Soliman still took the opportunity to thank all the institutions, organizations and countries that have helped the Philippines in the relief, recovery and rebuilding of areas affected by Yolanda.

The conference was hosted by the Philippine government in partnership with the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which is chaired by Australia.