Global Emergency Update:

CRS Emergency Response and Recovery

Local government, Church and civil society organizations are often the first to respond to crises, and are present in affected communities before, during and after emergencies. And in times of crisis, Catholic Relief Services responds with urgent, lifesaving assistance. We support families and communities as they rebuild their lives, assess their risks, and prepare against future emergencies—a comprehensive approach that focuses on helping people prepare, survive and recover from disasters with dignity.

The CRS Approach

Promoting and supporting local leadership and systems, we seek durable solutions as early as possible and throughout longer-term protracted crises. We always tailor our response to the local context and need, guided by the communities we serve and local expertise.

Poverty, violent conflict, rapid urbanization and the growing frequency and impact of natural disasters have resulted in a heightened need for not only humanitarian response and recovery, but support to build resilience before disasters strike. In fact, preparing for emergencies not only saves lives, but also preserves a lifetime of assets.

“When people from outside the community see this type of high road that we have built, they are surprised and congratulate us. They say that it will protect us from disasters for a long time.”

—A project participant in Bangladesh

PREPARATION IS KEY: DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

We Work Locally

Rooted in Catholic social teaching, CRS is committed to the principle of subsidiarity: the understanding that communities who are the closest to local challenges are the artisans of their own development. Building and strengthening local leadership and institutions ensures that CRS respects the dignity and agency of each person and community we serve and fosters an approach of accompanying local institutions to serve the common good.

CRS’ promotion and practice of community-based response management and coordination contributes to more holistic and locally led strategies and responses that result in safer, speedier recovery. For example, CRS prioritizes market-based solutions that help economies recover through cash or voucher systems that keep local vendors and suppliers in business. At the same time, we work with communities to improve housing and living environments in order to reduce damage and risks when disasters strike.

Integration Into Development Programs

CRS has long prioritized disaster risk reduction and resilience not only in our emergency relief and recovery efforts, but also in our development programming. By doing so, we can protect the gains made through our work while mitigating the impacts of shocks. This is especially relevant in the many communities dealing with climate change. Within our multiyear agricultural programs, CRS works closely with farmers so they can develop plans and learn skills to adapt to the impacts of climate change on agriculture. These include climate-smart agricultural methods that reorient farming systems to bolster food security, and the promotion of early warning systems for slow-onset disasters.

Urban Disaster Risk Reduction

Urbanization has brought about rapid change. Today, well over half the world’s population—including internally displaced people, refugees and migrants from rural areas—live in urban areas. Cities promise opportunity for many, but rapid and poorly planned urbanization can lead to overcrowding, unemployment, dilapidated housing and crime.

The problems associated with urbanization include lack of affordable housing; limited access to health care, education, water, sanitation, electricity and transportation; inadequate infrastructure; pollution, congestion and poverty. When hazards strike—such as floods, storm surges, fires and earthquakes—these already tenuous circumstances can quickly turn into humanitarian crises.

In supporting the local capacity of partners and systems to manage in these contexts, CRS focuses on strategies that build resilience in communities—including market-based food programs for food security; providing safe transitional shelter; coordinating with city agencies on land ownership and risk zoning; and prioritizing people who are most vulnerable.

Focus On El Niño

El Niño produces dangers for countries around the world, as it drives drought conditions, reduced rainfall and extreme weather events affecting agriculture, water resources and food security. A critical element of CRS’ emergency-preparedness approach is to mainstream our response plans and assistance programming for El Niño related disasters.

Following are just a few examples of CRS’ responses to the effects of El Niño worldwide.

In Guatemala, we are assessing impacts on farming communities in Chiquimula and Zacapa. We are taking a participatory approach with farmer organizations and an early warning system is in progress.

In Honduras, CRS is planning anticipatory actions for the southwestern region of the country. Activities are focusing on adjusting crops, livestock plans and water harvesting.

In the Philippines, we are strengthening Tagbilaran City’s capacity for anticipatory action. Programming includes targeting vulnerable families for support with shelter and cash assistance.

In Zimbabwe, CRS is engaging vulnerable communities in Matobo and Beitbridge districts, sensitizing them to the threats of El Niño and drought. As part of these efforts, we are supporting quick-maturing crops and drought-tolerant fodder.

Improving Emergency Preparedness in Indonesia

EMPOWER

With the increased frequency and complexity of emergencies, CRS supports the vital role of local organizations that have nationwide coverage.

One example of this is Empowering Partner Organizations Working on Emergency Responses, or EMPOWER, a CRS approach that is guided by priorities identified by our partners who are working in areas affected by emergencies. Through EMPOWER, CRS provides tailored technical assistance in three key strategic areas:

Coordination: Local partners strengthen their participation in coordination platforms at the local, national and regional levels.

Institutional strengthening: Local partners strengthen their institutional capacities and organizational structures to better manage humanitarian responses.

Funding: Local partners access and implement a greater percentage of humanitarian funding.

CRS partners engaged in EMPOWER-led responses to significant emergencies in the past year, including Hurricanes Ian and Fiona in Cuba and the Dominican Republic; the compounded impacts of COVID-19; and migrant and food security crises across the Caribbean, South and Central America and Mexico.

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