Emergency Preparedness / Contingency Planning

The aim of Emergency Preparedness Planning is for CRS and partners to identify actions that need to be taken in order to be ready to implement excellent emergency response programs. Emergency Preparedness Planning should be undertaken in Country Programs where there is a high probability of disaster, natural or manmade, or where a new threat is perceived, such as conflict, regional instability or a disease pandemic.

Emergency preparedness refers to an organizational state of readiness to respond to humanitarian disasters. Emergency preparedness means having staff trained in emergency response, and having systems and tools in place ready to support the response.

When a specific emergency is faced, Country Program should develop a Contingency Plan which explores the different ways the emergency can develop and prepares for each of them. The contingency plan is complementary to the preparedness plan.

It is a challenge for the Country Program to keep their Emergency Preparedness Plan alive. One option is to write actions points into staff performance plans. Another option is to conduct emergency response simulations.