Topic 5: The Recovery Process

The recovery process

A process is a sequence of activities that converts inputs of any sort into outputs or outcomes.

The inputs to the recovery process are the community and subsets of that community; for example, households and individuals.

Activity 5.1

What do you believe are the desired outcomes and other effects that could be expected of a recovery process?

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WFP Distributes Emergency Rations to Hurricane Victims

A woman and a child receive emergency rations being distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) at a warehouse operated by the humanitarian organization CARE, in the aftermath of hurricane "Ike".

Source: UN Photo/Logan Abassi; 07 September 2008; Gonaives, Haiti; Photo #192138 www.unmultimedia.org/photo/detail.jsp?id=192/192138 accessed September 2010

The diagram below is adapted from Josephine M. LaPlante, Recovery from Disaster, and is provided to give you further insight into the recovery process.

Recovery process

Characteristic activities	at first...	and then...	later...	eventually
Community	Normal activities suspended or changed. Search and rescue for victims Emergency shelters set up. Emergency feeding/clothing Clearing of debris begins	Normal activities resumed Cessation of search Shelters closed Debris cleared Financial relief received	Community rebuilds Jobs restored Commerce resumes Insurance claims are made	The event may be memorialised Large scale reconstruction as appropriate Legal redress
Individual and Household level	Social/family structure disrupted. Search and rescue of victims Temporary housing sought. Food and clothing sought Information sought Reassurance sought	Family and social ties may be restored Mourning Rebuilding or return to homes Possible relocation Health effects may become known	Return to work Social activities resumed Health effects may be evident Mental health effects may be evident

Reading 5.1

Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center (2001). The disaster recovery process. Holistic disaster recovery: Ideas for building local sustainability after a natural disaster (Chap. 2). Fairfax, VA: Public Entity Risk Institute.

The 2001 full text version is a free download available at http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/publications/holistic/holistic2006.html The later edition is published as a book for sale.

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Activity 5.2: Holistic recovery plan

Would the holistic recovery plan, as outlined in Reading 5.1, be feasible for application to the community you reside in? What about the community you work within? Write down your explanation.

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Photo: Emergency Manager LaRiea Thompson hands out back packs stocked with emergency preparedness supplies

Elbert, CO, September 2, 2009 -- Elbert County Emergency Manager LaRiea Thompson hands out back packs stocked with emergency preparedness supplies to teachers during the Ready Challenge at Elbert Elementary School. The event, sponsored by the READY Colorado campaign, provided a fun and practical way for students and teachers to learn how they can prepare for emergencies in Colorado.

Source: FEMA/Michael Rieger
www.photolibrary.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=41881 accessed September 2010

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