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The CWSEA ERP includes
several areas of focus:
Disaster Mitigation and Preparednes
As many of the natural disasters in Eastern
Africa, such as floods and drought, are cyclical, CWSEA focuses
a great deal of its ERP on proactive efforts.
One of the factors that increases the severity
of a disaster’s impact on a community is when a community
does not know how best to respond in times of crisis. Part
of CWSEA’s proactive effort is building the capacity
of communities to perpare for and handle disasters through
Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness (DMP) efforts and Disaster
Management Trainings (DMT). These trainings raise the awareness
of communities and their leaders of possible disasters and
focus on the best way of preventing disasters or mitigating
their impact when they do occur. By having increased awareness,
a community is better able to cope when a disaster occurs.
Once a community understands the existing
hazards, it is then able to launch specific efforts to reduce
its vulnerabilities. Trainings encourage the incorporation
of new techniques and also the rediscovery of traditional
coping methods. Examples of DMP projects include the creation
of food storehouses, the adoption of drought resistant seeds,
water conservation measures (e.g. water pans, water dams,
subsurface dams), environmental protection efforts, and the
adoption of good farming methods.
Rapid Response
When a disaster strikes, part of CWSEA’s
direct emergency response involves “rapid response”
efforts. “Rapid response” is meant to ease the
immediate, devastating impacts of a disaster upon communities.
Examples of “rapid response” may include evacuations
and/or the provision of immediate relief food, shelter, clothing,
and medical supplies.
 ACT
International
Church World Service is a member of Action
by Churches Together – International (ACT International),
an ecumenical alliance rising out of the World Council of
Churches and Lutheran World Federation. Through ACT International,
member churches and church-based organizations coordinate
their response to emergency situations around the world.
In part, this coordination is made possible
through regional forums of member organizations known as ACT
Forums. CWSEA is extremely involved in the regional forums
in Eastern Africa, having played an instrumental role in the
formation and management of the ACT Kenya Forum operating
out of Nairobi, Kenya. Through the Kenya Forum, CWSEA coordinates
the emergency response of five local church partners in Kenya.
CWSEA is also involved in the ACT Forums in Tanzania and in
Southern Sudan.
Responsibilities of ACT Forum include:
- Providing information about emerging disaster situations
in a country for “ACT Alerts”
- Coordinating the planned response by each of the member
organizations
- Organizing joint “ACT Appeals” to request
financial resources for an emergency response
- Overseeing the emergency response by member organizations
in the local areas
Trauma Healing
/ Psychosocial Support
In the aftermath of disasters, communities
often are in need of trauma healing and psychosocial support.
In order to meet this need, CWSEA conducts training workshops
for church and civic leaders, enabling them with the awareness
and the skills necessary to conduct trauma healing efforts
in their local communities.
Displaced Persons
As violent conflicts persist in parts of
Eastern Africa, finding durable solutions for displaced persons
remains one of the emergency response needs in the region.
To address this need, CWSEA focuses on education. CWSEA partners
with Film Aid International to educate refugees about issues
that will affect their repatriation and future development,
issues such as HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention, teenage pregnancy,
gender based violence, and information about the present situation
in their home countries. CWSEA also partners with Tanganyika
Christian Refugee Services (TCRS) to promote education and
skills development for refugees, equipping them with the necessary
skills to aid in the redevelopment of their home countries
upon return. |
