Summary of DREF Review

Key Findings

During the Tropical Cyclone Pat (TC Pat) emergency response, Cook Island Red Cross (CIRC) staff and volunteers were the first one on the ground for emergency assessment and distribution. The recognition of the beneficiaries and all the stakeholders in this key role in response has been well expressed during this review.

However CIRC faced some challenges as listed below:

• Coordination issues with other stakeholders

• Problem of beneficiaries’ identification

• Logistic constraints and challenges

• Gaps in communication with beneficiaries

• Challenges in staff and volunteer management during an emergency

• Lack of exit strategy (from emergency response to long-term support)

CIRC did some internal evaluation of their response just after the emergency and based on this learning, CIRC conducted some activities to address these challenges:

• Pacific Disaster Response Team training

• Hosted Regional Disaster Response Team training

• Logistic training

• Evaluation of the existing stocks and replenishment plans

Ke Recommendations

The recommendations have been discussed during the Lessons Learned Workshop and could be synthesised as follows:

• Review disaster management and training plans

• Secure emergency buffer funds

• Formalise contingency planning process

• Review of volunteer management process

• Set up branch-training plan