Important – what is important and to whom?
Well you may think that building disaster response around helicopters is just boys with toys.
This photo shows the perspective of children in Kenya. They drew a helicopter in the sand; helicopters are important to them. Please ask us before you copy this photo; it is a treasure!
The long term solution
The long term solution to humanitarian disasters is complex. It includes un-glamorous things like better building codes and helping people choose safe places to live. It also includes climate studies and making responses quicker.
Strategically, a world wide disaster risk reduction program was started in Yokohama Japan in 1994.
In 2005, one of the more important gaps was preparing for effective disaster response and recovery. So in 2005 a new framework for action was launched at Hyogo, Japan. It was valid until 2015.
A substantial reduction in disaster losses in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries. That was the aim of the 2005 World Conference on Disaster Reduction.
Since then, the Sendai framework is taking us forward from 2015 to 2030 by seeking to increase the resilience of communities and nations. We support this work.
As an alternative, what must it be like for a natural disaster to strike and, as parents, as workers, as homeowners, have no resilience? Have no way to respond? Or have no reserves in your funds or in your community? It is our experience that the people in disaster vulnerable areas have much to teach us about what is really important when things get tough.
Wings Like Eagles’ important part
Wings Like Eagles’ emphasis on helicopters is a small part of effective disaster response and recovery. It is just a small part of improving life for the world’s most vulnerable. However, it is an important part. Aided by four donors, we put a disaster response capability into southern Africa back in 2008.
We thank a friend of ours for use of the photo. It shows kids in Africa drawing a picture of a helicopter in the earth. We find it quite moving.
If you want to know more add the UN office for Disaster Risk Reduction to your favourites.
Or have a look at what we did with helicopters in 2007.
So do you want to help?
If you do, why not contact us?
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