REBUILDING LIVES IN TIMES OF DISASTER SOCIETY REBUILDING LIVES IN TIMES When disaster strikes there is always a demand for skilled, trained engineers and other professionals to react to the immediate humanitarian need. Through OF DISASTER an extensive programme of courses and a register of 1,700 experienced members, international relief charity RedR provides training and recruitment for these humanitarian workers. Martin McCann, CEO of RedR, writes about the work of the charity and its members around the globe.

RedR was founded in 1979 organisation that has deployed by Peter Guthrie OBE FREng over 2,500 experts, including (now Professor in Engineering engineers, health professionals for Sustainable Development and logisticians to worldwide at Cambridge) who, following relief efforts, and last year trained an assignment working in a some 2,722 personnel in 10 Malaysian refugee camp for different countries. Vietnamese boat people, realised the critical need for engineers in emergency relief. DISASTER Since then, RedR and its RESPONSES members have responded Since RedR formally became to disasters of all kinds, both a charity in 1982, the first conflict-related and natural, and challenge for its members have been present at most of was to respond to the famines the recent major rapid-onset that affected Ethiopia in 1985, disasters and many of the on- followed by addressing the going crises around the world. desperate needs of the Kurdish The original concept of people fleeing into northern RedR was to create a register Iraq during the first Gulf War. of carefully selected engineers During the 1990s, hundreds of (hence the Register of Engineers RedR members were deployed for Disaster Relief) who could be to respond to the genocide in called on at short notice to work Rwanda and the crises in both with front-line relief agencies Bosnia and Kosovo. on secondment from their Engineers have many of regular employer. This has since the skills necessary to operate greatly evolved and expanded, in disaster situations but they IDP Camp in Pakistan, setup post- encompassing aid workers of all need to have the ability to earthquake © Tim Hayward, RedR disciplines, into an international translate their technical skills

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RedR’s training courses help to bridge any knowledge gaps which PAKISTAN exist by covering important technical aspects of relief work as well as EARTHQUAKE At the beginning of October cross-cutting issues such as cross-cultural management and security. 2005, an earthquake devastated the homes and lives of approximately 3.5 million people in Northern Pakistan. RedR immediately recruited some 40 relief workers, including a large number of shelter, water to a completely different two rapid onset emergencies immediate disaster response and as the structures built had to and sanitation engineers, and environment, work with limited struck Asia within months of subsequent relief efforts. take into account the threat of public health and engineering resources and appreciate the each other – the tsunami in RedR member and architect earthquakes. coordinators – alongside needs of the local communities. South Asia and the Pakistan Barbara Alink was out in Sri health workers, logisticians and RedR’s training courses earthquake. Lanka within two weeks of programme managers – to assist help to bridge any knowledge the tsunami, and spent two REDR IN SRI LANKA with relief efforts. gaps that exist by covering SOUTH ASIAN months project-managing the Sri Lanka was severely affected Following the earthquake, important technical aspects of reconstruction of a number by the tsunami that killed some RedR also worked quickly to set relief work as well as overlapping TSUNAMI of schools and clinics along 40,000 people on the island The South Asian tsunami which up a programme in Pakistan issues such as cross-cultural the whole affected Sri Lankan and displaced between 400,000 which provided high quality management and security. struck on 26 December 2004 coastline. She managed a and 500,000 people along the was one of the largest natural training for all organisations As well as providing training multi-million pound budget coastline. In February 2005, involved with the relief process. for aid workers in the UK, RedR disasters ever recorded. It was and a team of 18 staff, including RedR established a training responsible for the deaths of Over eight months, the RedR identified a need to offer its engineers, finance professionals programme in Sri Lanka, initially team ran 130 training events services in areas directly affected close to 300,000 people in 11 and administrators. The project to address the huge need for countries, and resulted in millions for 2,152 participants in five by disaster. In 2001, RedR set involved a considerable amount shelter for the thousands whose different geographical areas, up its first regional training of people being left homeless. of direct implementation as homes had been destroyed. Large numbers of engineers ensuring that frontline staff programme based in the field well as the establishment Construction Engineer Gill Price could benefit from RedR’s in Afghanistan. This experience and other professionals were of minimum construction was recruited through RedR recruited to help with the Shelter training course, 2005 following the tsunami. Participants learn construction/reconstruction techniques, expertise and courses were held was to prove invaluable when standards. By training her own to set up the RedR Sri Lanka through practical and theoretical exercises © RedR where demand was highest. local staff, Barbara was able to programme. RedR provided tailor- pass on knowledge to local The main purpose of the government officials. Coming made, on-the-job training contractors for use in the future. programme was to provide REDR’S SUPPORTERS from an engineering background, and individual coaching for Barbara then flew out field-based training for shelter, RedR relies on the commitment and generosity of individuals, Gill didn’t have much previous national and international NGOs, to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, targeted at local government companies, institutions and trusts to help make a difference to experience of training so the government departments, for 16 months to help with and non-governmental the lives of those affected by disaster. RedR has a number of whole assignment was a huge the military and UN agencies. reconstruction efforts there. organisations. It was vital patrons, engineering companies and institutions who support learning curve, but she received The courses covered a wide The aim of the project she was to work closely with local the charity by making a regular annual donation, enabling a lot of support from other RedR range of areas, including camp managing in this devastated organisations; as the disaster was RedR to plan ahead effectively. RedR patrons and corporate members working in the area management, ‘winterisation’, region was to build 500 schools. on such a massive scale the local supporters also organise fundraising events, raise awareness and the engineering community water and sanitation, and quality She worked alongside a organisations were to play a of RedR’s work and encourage their staff to get involved. They as a whole. standards. structural engineer and started huge part in the relief efforts. play a vital role in helping the charity to achieve its mission and Delivering the training on by training local contractors, During the three months continue its work. RedR also receives substantial income from the ground, RedR is able to engineers and surveyors to that Gill spent in Sri Lanka she the Department for International Development, the European assess local needs, for example FREEZING get the skills in place whilst set up the RedR programme Commission Humanitarian Office, the Big Lottery Fund and the security training is now in huge CONDITIONS keeping to the new building and worked closely with the Sri Disasters Emergency Committee partners. demand due to the renewed Mark Buttle, an engineer with standards that the country Lankan government to shape internal conflict of the country. Arup and a RedR member since The collapsed, soil-covered roof of a house in Dharra village, NWFP, Pakistan. had implemented. Barbara policy on shelter construction. Last year RedR ran 58 different 1998, was sent out to Pakistan Most of the village was devastated by the 2005 earthquake and there were heavy casualties. The heavy soil roofs keep the houses cool in the hot found Indonesia even more RedR also acted as a bridge courses in Sri Lanka, training a as a training consultant and summers but have little resistance to earthquakes © Step Haiselden, RedR challenging than Sri Lanka between other aid agencies and total of 1,153 people. ‘winterisation’ specialist to carry

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out a rapid learning-needs cold conditions. In one camp, between providing effective aid through this disaster remained assessment and deliver training drainage ditches had been dug and not, is the application of a in the area after the international on camp management and but the excavated earth was few points of engineering and aid workers departed and other key areas. causing freezing water to pool common sense at the right time.” national staff were then able to Mark said at the time, “Most in tents. A woman, who had lost Much of Mark’s work focused go on to train others. of the local people involved in several family members in the on raising standards and so the relief effort had excellent quake, had stayed up all night improving life in the camps for practical skills but, of course, bailing water out of her tent and the millions of people living WORKING IN had no specific knowledge of was, not surprisingly, at her wits’ there. This included giving AN INTERNALLY how to run a relief effort in such end. In the end the difference training on camp management DISPLACED and international standards of PERSONS CAMP aid provision, tent suitability, RedR member and engineer, “When the earthquake happened, my company was brilliant, water and sanitation options Step Haiselden, spent time dumping jobs on other people so that I could run out the door. and how to help people survive on placement in Maira Camp, I really felt like I was having someone else’s life in Pakistan. You the winter. the largest internally displaced go back to your old life but you remember you were there and Many course participants persons’ camp in Pakistan. The that you did make a difference.” were Pakistani so materials were camp was based an hour’s Step Haiselden, an engineer with Price & Myers Consulting Engineers prepared in both English and drive north of a town called and RedR member since 1993 Urdu. This also helped to ensure Battagram on the Karakoram that the knowledge gained Highway which follows the Children using an Oxfam tapstand in Maira Camp, NWFP, Pakistan © Step Haiselden, RedR

Indus River through the Despite the terrible devastation INTERNATIONAL Karakoram mountains and into within Pakistan, Step found UN CLUSTERS China. Step worked installing at a face-to-face level the YEAR OF SANITATION • Agriculture In an emergency scenario, water tanks and organising the atmosphere was positive, with • Camp Coordination/ different types of response building of latrines for some of people looking forward to spring Management are needed. In addition to the 20,000 people living in the and the rebuilding work. He also • Early Recovery health and nutrition, two camp. found it immensely satisfying • Education crucial elements in the One of the main challenges that people appreciated the • Emergency Shelter majority of responses are Step faced on the assignment work of the international relief • Emergency shelter, and water and was to ensure that the community. Telecommunications sanitation. In both cases engineering solutions were What was less visible though, • Health engineers play a key role. acceptable both technically was the fact that many people • Logistics To highlight the importance and culturally, so diplomacy, were severely traumatised by • Nutrition of sanitation, the UN has made consultation and collaboration the earthquake and some were • Protection 2008 the ‘International Year of were essential. Aid workers simply too scared to leave • Water, Sanitation Sanitation’. must be aware of the cultural their tents. For people living and Hygiene sensitivities surrounding a relief in regions affected by natural There is still a lot of work to effort; in the area where Step disaster and conflict, the after- be done to meet the Millennium worked, for example, women effects are a living reality and the Development Goal for water are not allowed to use latrines if need to respond remains long and sanitation that aims to they are too far from their tents after the media spotlight has reduce the proportion of Local engineer Naeem Gul, who worked alongside RedR engineers, checks people without access to basic an emergency bladder tank before it is filled with potable water at Maira Helicopter transport was sometimes essential in Kashmir: here Mark Buttle or if they are not screened off gone away. Camp, NWFP, Pakistan © Step Haseilden, RedR awaits takeoff © RedR sufficiently. sanitation by 50%. To achieve

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Ion beam figuring of an ultra-precision lithography optic © Zeiss SMT AG

this target over 160 million to major emergencies. RedR RedR has 27 years’ experience of additional people need to be is heavily involved with the placing engineers and providing provided with sanitation and 110 WASH cluster, lead by UNICEF, training in emergency situations. million with safe water each year. and Water and Sanitation Having trained and experienced The problem of access to proper Engineer and RedR staff member engineers making the decisions sanitation is increased in disaster Toby Gould is responsible for in the very early stages of an situations and so engineers with project-managing the selection emergency means that water the relevant water and sanitation and training of these cluster and aid workers can be directed Further reference skills are always in high demand coordinators. to saving people’s lives and relief www.redr.org.uk in disaster areas. As with all disaster responses, money is used to its greatest [email protected] the WASH response involves benefit. engineers, health professionals A MORE and programme managers COORDINATED working together to provide APPROACH water supply and latrines. GETTING INVOLVED WITH REDR FABRICATION AND USES OF Following on from the Asian They also ensure that what RedR is always looking for members with the right skills and tsunami, better coordination is provided is what the local experience to join its register. RedR membership is seen as and management of disaster communities want and that the a mark of approval from many aid agencies, owing to the response was called for. In reply communities know how to use rigorous assessment criteria. To be accepted as a RedR member, ULTRA-PRECISION SURFACES to this need, the UN introduced them properly. With the support a minimum of two years’ professional experience and some a pioneering ‘cluster’ system, of RedR, engineers and other overseas experience, preferably working with NGOs, is required. based on the key areas crucial aid professionals can continue To develop particular skills or gain a better understanding to disaster relief such as water working together, using their of the relief sector, applicants both with and without the New technology has dramatically improved the levels of measurement and precision supply, sanitation and hygiene skills to help the millions who necessary experience can attend one of RedR’s training courses. achieved in manufacturing. The new challenges posed and opportunities enabled by ‘ultra- (WASH) and shelter. The clusters are affected by conflict, draught, Undertaking a development-related assignment overseas can aim to provide a predictable floods, earthquakes also be used as a stepping-stone into relief work. Chartered precision’ are important in many fields; from the mirrors needed for large-scale telescopes and more coordinated response and hurricanes each year. Engineer status is highly valued when assessing suitability for membership. to optics and machines that help make integrated circuits. Professor Paul Shore of Cranfield Professionalism in the sector is increasing and now engineers University’s world-recognised Precision Engineering Centre, tells of the advances in are expected to have not only suitable professional experience but also management and training skills in order to work in manufacture and the associated measurement capabilities for ultra precision surfaces. disaster areas. Chantal McIlveen-Wright, RedR’s Membership Manager, stresses how important it is that engineers and other Much discussion and attention has been INFINITESIMALLY SMALL professionals who want to become aid workers have the ability focused on activities coming under the Ultra-precision surfaces are today often to train others. She says, “It is vital that they can pass on the heading of ‘nanotechnology’. In contrast, expressed in terms of their accuracy relative relevant knowledge to the local communities, to ensure that the little emphasis has been placed on to their size. For example the most accurate work is continued after they have left. Relief workers also need technologies that offer nanometer-level surfaces produced today have a relative to have an open mind, be sensitive to cultural issues and be able qualities but applied to larger scale items. form accuracy to size ratio of one part in 108. to adapt easily to different environments and ways of working. These activities are commonly referred to as This ratio equates to 10 nanometres (or 100 ‘ultra precision’ technologies. hydrogen atoms) form accuracy on a one The quest for precision is a dynamic, metre component. Surfaces of this extreme BIOGRAPHY – Martin McCann continuously evolving process in which quality are commonly employed in ground Martin McCann has been CEO of RedR for 15 months and has new technologies are constantly being and space-based optics (for the mirrors). been involved in international development for the last 30 developed and benchmarks repeatedly shift. A number of next generation science years, ranging from a two year volunteer posting in West Africa What can be described as an ‘ultra-precision’ programmes will demand many hundreds to the more recent role of Programme Director and Deputy surface has significantly changed during the of large scale ultra-precision surfaces. These Emergency (Oxfam) water tank construction at Maira Camp, NWFP, Pakistan International Executive Director of Plan International. last few decades. © Step Haiselden, RedR programmes include the US led Thirty

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