USAID-OFDA FRCS Success Story

USAID/OFDA has supported these trainings, which have strengthened the credibility and effectiveness of disaster management systems in the region. The Foundation's trainings have been adopted by several stakeholders, including the Fiji Red Cross Society (FRCS), an integral part of the disaster management system in Fiji. The 1998 Fiji National Disaster Management Act mandates that FRCS provide non-food items to affected populations during a disaster, placing FRCS at the forefront of a national response. To operate efficiently, FRCS relies on a large volunteer base, with approximately 300 individuals dispersed throughout the country serving as first responders. FRCS grants decision-making authority to volunteers for the distribution of relief supplies, necessitating a well-trained staff and method for obtaining information. The Asia Foundation's trainings have improved disaster management in Fiji, particularly in the area of Initial Damage Assessment (IDA). FRCS implemented a training program based on the USAID/OFDA-supported trainings, which has revolutionized the way volunteers collect data during a response. The IDA training has systemized and comprehensively improved data collection, management, and analysis of the humanitarian situation and emergency humanitarian needs. FRCS adopted IDA forms introduced by The Asia Foundation for use throughout the country, and Red Cross societies throughout the region have also adopted the forms, creating a standardized methodology for disaster response. During the 2009 flood response in Fiji, FRCS acted as the first responder, assisting more than 41,000 individuals in over 400 flood-affected villages. USAID/OFDA provided support to FRCS for the provision of emergency relief commodities and replenishment of stockpiles. The use of IDA forms during the response allowed community responders to make quick and educated decisions, ensuring the provision of vital life-saving assistance. The trainings have facilitated the creation of a vital network of responders who all speak the same technical "language," allowing districts to call on less-affected districts for support without elaborating on operational needs. The Asia Foundation's trainings have created a new business of disaster management in the Pacific, allowing individuals to develop skills in a field that did not exist decades ago. Several trainers from The Asia Foundation now hold key positions in government and international organizations throughout the Pacific, speaking to the strength of the trainings for personal and professional development. The FRCS IDA assessment forms, developed from The Asia Foundation trainings, have changed the way assessments are conducted throughout the Pacific. The Asia Foundation continues to develop trainings to address identified needs, train new generations of responders, and support capacity-building exercises in the Pacific.