Human Rights Checklist for disaster preparedness, prevention, and recovery responses
Read our human rights checklist for government agencies and non-governmental organisations to use in developing disaster preparedness, prevention and recovery responses.
This checklist is for disaster preparedness, prevention and recovery responses. It is for government agencies and non-governmental organisation to use in developing disaster preparedness, prevention and recovery responses.
Following a disaster, it’s critical that agencies:
- Provide accessible information to everyone about
- The nature and level of the disaster
- The possible risk mitigation measures
- Assistance, recovery efforts and entitlements
- The reasons how and why decisions are made
- Recognise that a sense of certainty and feeling in control can speed people’s recovery
- Incorporate flexibility into post-disaster policies and processes including the ability to engage with affected people
- Recognise that those closest to the impacts of disaster can provide valuable advice on post-disaster practices and solutions
- Provide people with the ability to take charge of their own affairs to the greatest extent possible.
- Recognise that people’s recovery can be negatively influenced by a variety of factors
- Recognise that stress can be exacerbated by the pressures of dealing with bureaucracy
- Recognise that people’s stress levels can continue to increase years after the disaster event
- Communicate openly and effectively with affected people
- Recognise attachment to place is an important identity marker, and displacement can have an impact on recovery
- Recognise and factor in numerous financial, emotional and social costs people face when having to move
- Provide the opportunity for people to participate in the design, planning, and implementation of the disaster response
- Ensure that all recovery activity is guided by legislation and limited to the powers provided therein by Parliament.