© Solidarités International RED ALERT YOUR SUPPORT, OUR WORK, REAL DIFFERENCE

page 4 Nepalese earthquake page 8 RedR in the Middle East redruk people and skills for disaster relief page 11 Ebola update CELEBRATING 35 YEARS

Autumn/Winter 2015 LATEST NEWS THANK YOU GEOFF FRENCH (CBE) NEW CHAIR OF TRUSTEES The Board of RedR UK is delighted to Water, Engineering and Development welcome industry leader Geoff French Centre (WEDC) at Loughborough Thanks to our Patrons Why we print Red Alert (CBE) as Chair of Trustees. University, who has held the chairmanship since 2010 and will WELCOME AECOM RedAlert is produced twice A chartered civil engineer with over 40 Arup continue to support RedR as a Trustee. yearly to keep our supporters years of professional experience, Geoff Dear Friends, Association for Consultancy and Engineering informed about RedR’s activities Atkins has been a supporter of RedR since its The Board of RedR UK would like to and achievements, and to RedR was overwhelmed by the Black and Veatch Ltd inception, as a member of Scott Wilson extend its sincerest thanks to Ian for his response to our emergency BP encourage others to support appeal for Nepal. To date, you BT our work. All RedR publications, and more recently as an individual. years of service. have raised over £170,000 Elliott Wood LLP including Red Alert, are printed Griffiths & Armour Group Geoff takes over from Ian Smout, to help those affected by the on recycled stock. Laing O’Rourke Principal Programme Manager at the Meet Geoff French on page 16 earthquakes rebuild and recover. Mace Foundation Tell us what you think! We’re always keen to 35 years after RedR was Mott MacDonald Group Ltd hear your thoughts about issues raised in MWH Red Alert. Letters to the editor should founded, we are still responding New Civil Engineer be sent to: [email protected] to some of the gravest Sandberg LLP Issue writer: Rachel Erskine HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SOUTH SUDAN humanitarian crises the world The Institution of Chemical Engineers

The Institution of Civil Engineers © Reuters. Zohra Bensemra is currently facing, from the world’s youngest country - which conflict in Syria to the ongoing The Institution of Engineering and Technology RedR UK issues in Sierra Leone. The The Institution of Mechanical Engineers 250a Kennington Lane gained independence in 2011 - is The Institution of Structural Engineers London SE11 5RD in the grip of a humanitarian crisis. support you provide - whether The Royal Academy of Engineering personally, through your t +44 (0)20 7840 6000 UNOCHA estimates the number of The Worshipful Company of Engineers e [email protected] company or by taking part in one Tony Gee & Partners www.redr.org.uk internally displaced people at 1.6 million. of our events - is unwavering. URS Hundreds of thousands more have fled WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff Charity Number: 1079752 2015 sees our Pakistan office Registered in England and Wales to neighbouring countries, and some celebrate its fifth anniversary Gold Corporate Partners as Company Number 3929653 4.6 million people within the country’s and our Sudan office its tenth. Lloyd’s Charities Trust Limited by guarantee We are constantly seeking borders face severe food insecurity. © Solidarités International to innovate and increase the RedR was forced to close its country impact of our work. office in Juba in February 2014 due to With RedR, your support makes a lack of funding. However, we remain a vital and lasting difference committed to developing skills and to the lives of communities affected by disaster. On behalf capacity in South Sudan. We continue of all those who benefit from In December 2013, a power struggle to provide vital training, equipping our work, in Nepal and beyond, between South Sudan’s president NGO staff, government employees and thank you. and his former deputy spiralled into community members to deliver aid Martin McCann civil war. Almost two years later, the safely and securely. Chief Executive

2 Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 3 LATEST NEWS

BUILDING BACK BETTER IN NEPAL

In Nepal, the RedR family is working Fighting waterborne diseases to help those affected by the recent ‘In terms of water and sanitation, we earthquakes to rebuild their homes, have delivered WASH in Emergencies infrastructure and livelihoods - and to training to 66 Save the Children staff in build them back better, reducing the three districts,’ continues Katie. ‘We also impact of future disasters. ran three one-day open training sessions in Safe Latrine Construction. With the On 25 April 2015, an earthquake monsoon season ongoing, waterborne measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale diseases are a very real threat, and struck Nepal. It was the most powerful infrastructure alone isn’t enough to earthquake to hit the country in more prevent their spread: it’s essential than 80 years, killing 8,881 people and that infrastructure is accompanied by injuring more than 22,000. Overall, some good practices. That’s why we’ve also eight million people - almost a third of delivered two one-day open training Nepal’s population - were affected. In sessions on Hygiene Promotion and the days following the disaster, RedR Community Mobilisation.’ staff on the ground identified Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Shelter Building back better (WASH) as the most urgent needs. ‘The The earthquake - compounded by a training and technical support we’ve second tremor that hit on 12 May - provided so far has focused on meeting left hundreds of thousands of people these needs,’ says Katie Robertson, homeless. According to the Nepalese RedR UK’s Programme Manager. To government, 602,254 houses were ‘fully © Solidarités International date, a total of 269 aid workers from damaged’ by the earthquakes, and national and international NGOs have 288,255 were ‘partially damaged’. taken part in our training in Nepal. ‘Nepal is extremely vulnerable to

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natural disaster. This means that simply rebuilding these structures is not enough,’ says Katie Robertson. I am certain that from ‘Houses, sanitation structures, schools: “ now on, whatever I anything that can be built, can be made construct will be sturdy stronger and safer. But ‘building back better’ requires very specific skills and and stable. know-how.’ Drawing on our experience Badri Dhungana, Nepalese carpenter of previous crises, notably in Haiti and and RedR course participant the Philippines, RedR is training local aid workers in resilient construction © Sam Spickett techniques, helping to limit the impact of training, where they learnt how to ensure future disasters. that these essential structures are earthquake-resistant. We have delivered Shelter Training of Trainers courses to Save the Children Badri Dhungana, a farmer by profession, and partners in three districts. ‘When occasionally works as a carpenter we equip people with skills like these, and at times as a mason in his village. we’re empowering them to save lives Prior to RedR’s training, he had already the next time disaster strikes,’ observes constructed two TLCs in his village for RedR UK CEO Martin McCann. ‘Moreover, Save the Children. Empowering communities in my ability to pass on my learning to we train people who themselves go Kalpana Giri works for a Nepalese the women of my community.’ on to be trainers, sharing their newly- ‘Two months before the training, I NGO called Pourakhi Nepal, where she acquired skills with their colleagues received the orders for constructing trains women in her own community. RedR is also supporting the and communities. This ensures that the my first TLC,’ he remembers. ‘But I She attended Safer Shelter Training led humanitarian sector in Nepal through impact of our work is multiplied across was clueless about the details of by RedR for AWO International and its training in Managing Projects in the country.’ construction. We were instructed to partner organisations. Emergencies, and the Essentials of use bamboo and tarpaulin. Up until this Humanitarian Practice. Making schools safer point, I had only ever worked with timber. ‘Being a woman has not stopped In Nuwakot District, Save the Children I was not confident about using bamboo, me from doing my work,’ she says. As Nepal moves from crisis through and its partners are building Temporary and by default I was tying bamboo poles ‘Carpentry, masonry and other recovery and on to reconstruction, Learning Centres (TLC), enabling just the way I would tie timber. I cannot construction-related tasks are often your support is - and will continue to children to continue learning as schools thank the trainers enough for having thought of as a ‘man’s job’. However, I be - vital. Thanks to you, we are helping are rebuilt. 23 members of staff involved taught me the way to make lap joints. I feel there is nothing that I as a woman those affected by the earthquakes in this initiative took part in RedR’s Safe am certain that from now on, whatever I cannot do. In fact, having attended this rebuild their lives, and prepare to face Temporary Learning Centre Construction construct will be sturdy and stable.’ training, I am more confident than ever the future.

6 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 7 Development is part of every person’s mission in life - but in MIDDLE EAST: “ the humanitarian field, it’s even BUILDING HUMANITARIAN CAPACITY more crucial to be trained. Majdi Mustafa, Training Officer With no end to the Syrian conflict in sight - and Norwegian Refugee Council the rise of the Islamic State group causing further chaos and displacement - humanitarian needs in the Middle East are increasingly acute. RedR UK has © andersphoto opened an office in Amman, Jordan, to help develop humanitarian capacity in the region.

The Middle East is currently facing what in the region are facing unprecedented Emergencies, Monitoring and Evaluation, cycle management and the essentials has been termed the worst displacement pressure. Through its newly-opened Training of Trainers, Camp Management, of humanitarian practice,’ says Louise. crisis in a generation. The number of office in Amman, Jordan, RedR is Disaster Risk Reduction, Essentials ‘The risks involved in operating in the refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria has working to develop the skills and of Humanitarian Practice, WASH, and region mean that there’s also a need for now surpassed 4 million. On top of this, capacities of NGO staff who provide Personal Safety and Security, including training in safety and security.’ the growth of the Islamic State group essential aid to those in need. First Aid. We’ve also run courses in in Iraq and Syria has uprooted millions. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Majdi Mustafa, a Training Officer with It is estimated that 3.3 million people ‘We have set up an office, registered Tunisia and Turkey.’ the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), have been displaced in Iraq alone, with with the Jordanian government and attended RedR’s Training of Trainers in millions more seeking refuge in other recruited a national team,’ explains To cope with the crisis, NGOs have taken Amman. ‘Organisations such as RedR countries in the region. Louise Such, RedR UK’s Middle East on new staff, many of whom have little help to equip new humanitarian workers Coordinator. ‘To date, we have trained or no experience of aid work. with solid knowledge so they can start The sheer scale of the crisis means over 500 people in a wide range of ‘The most common training needs doing their jobs,’ he says. ‘Development that humanitarian agencies operating courses including: Managing Projects in we’re seeing are therefore in project is part of every person’s mission in life

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- but in the humanitarian field, it’s even Network which introduces the key more crucial to be trained. It’s not about concepts of humanitarian work.’ me as a person. It’s about the IDPs LESSONS LEARNED (Internally Displaced People), refugees, ‘Sadly, the humanitarian crisis the Middle and my colleagues being informed.’ East is facing seems likely to continue FROM THE EBOLA TRAINING for the foreseeable future,’ says Martin ‘We started out by offering open training McCann, CEO of RedR UK. ‘Opening RedR UK trained 362 medical personnel who were then deployed to West Africa sessions, but we’re receiving more and an office in Jordan is our response to as part of the international Ebola response. As the project draws to a close, our more requests for tailor-made training this reality. In terms of training, there Project Coordinator Shelby Fields Kraus reflects on the lessons learned. as awareness of the services we provide are significant needs - but we are increases," says Louise Such. ‘Upcoming confident we have the capacity to make The recent Ebola epidemic was embarking on their first assignment with courses include Proposal- and Report- a real impact. Our vision for the Middle unprecedented in its scale and an NGO understood how their work fitted Writing, Security Management and Urban East reflects our global vision: of a complexity. ‘This was uncharted into the broader response,’ says Shelby. WASH. From late August on, we’ll be world where sufficient competent and territory for the global humanitarian running Context, an exciting professional committed personnel are available and community,’ recalls Shelby Fields Ultimately, 97.4% of participants rated development initiative from the Start responding to humanitarian needs.’ Kraus, RedR’s Project Coordinator. ‘To the course Good or Excellent. ‘I think respond effectively, the many actors it just made me as effective as I could involved had to work together, requiring have been,’ said one trainee. ‘I couldn’t new approaches to coordination and have been more prepared than I was, knowledge-sharing. Training was given and I felt as safe as I could do.’ the number of countries in the Middle East where RedR has delivered training top priority.’ 8I Though the epidemic has slowed, RedR RedR UK played its part by training continues to train UK-Med standby 362 medical personnel from the UK, teams prepared to deploy to Sierra the number of people trained by RedR in the Middle East since March 2014 Denmark, Norway and South Korea. ‘For Leone should it flare up again. 533I RedR, the stakes were uncommonly high,’ continues Shelby. ‘This was the ‘Among the humanitarian community first time we had been involved in the as a whole, there was a real sense of the number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria response to an epidemic of any kind. We collective ownership of the response,’ 4 MILLIONI had to draw up a training programme, says Shelby. ‘Huge efforts were made ensure we had the right equipment in to coordinate activities, and to share the right quantities, and recruit a team information and knowledge. This had the number of people - half of them children - of trainers with a very specific skill an extremely positive impact on the displaced within Syria’s borders 7.6 MILLIONI s e t - a l l i n a v e r y s h o r t s p a c e o f t i m e .’ effectiveness of our response.’ Alongside technical sessions, participants received basic training in ‘As for RedR, we now know that we’re the estimated number of people in Syria urgently humanitarian principles and practice. equipped to deal with an emergency of in need of aid 12.2 MILLIONI ‘It was important that medical staff this scale and complexity.’ Source: IDMC, Relief Web, UNOCHA

10 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 11 SUPPORTER ROUND-UP SUPPORTER ROUND-UP

HELEN VARMA TAKES IT UP A GEAR RedR’s former interim Fundraising & FUN, FUN, FUNDRAISING Communication Director, Helen Varma, saddled up in August to take on the Each year, we are astounded by the dedication of our amazing supporters. From Three Cities Bike Ride – a cycling corporate teams taking on a physical challenge, to individuals who want to make challenge covering over 300 miles a difference through their own fundraising event, our supporters have one thing between London, Amsterdam, and in common – they help RedR to continue its life-saving work around the world. Brussels. Raising well over £4,000, it’s clear that Helen’s passion for RedR’s AKT II: LONDON TO BRIGHTON work is as strong as ever! A team of AKT II’s finest braved the 54 mile bike ride from London to Brighton. Dodging some seriously strong winds, heavy rainfall, and facing chilly temperatures, the team did a superb job WHY WE SUPPORT REDR to reach the finish line in Brighton, raising £3,455.63 in the process! Usually unsung, RedR quietly goes about providing aid and succour to 2015 FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT thousands of people across the globe RedR’s third annual Football Tournament, with patience, understanding and skill. sponsored by Alexander Associates, took So why were we covering 54 miles of place in June and saw RedR Patrons and the Peak District in under 18 hours? corporate supporters come together in Wembley to battle it out for the official ‘Because it was there’ seemed such RedR Football Tournament Trophy. A John Pelton, from CH2M and an inadequate response! The beautiful dramatic final between Atkins and Mott Programme Partner Director on countryside and the opportunity to MacDonald resulted in Atkins lifting the Crossrail, took on the Trekfest Peak traverse Kinder Scout, the hills around trophy for the first time. District challenge – 54 miles in under Castleton and the Ladybower reservoir This year’s Football Tournament is part 18 hours – with colleagues Lynne (even in the dark) were unmissable. The of the RedR Sporting Trilogy, which we Rogers and Fi Fransson. training has undoubtedly enhanced our expect to generate over £6,000 for RedR! well-being, made us fitter and slimmer. ‘There are few charities that really get But we were also delighted to be able to to the heart of major global challenges ROBERT BAKER’S SPONSORED SLIM raise funds for RedR. We are well on our in the same way as RedR. Not only does In one of our favourite fundraising ideas way to our £4,000 target. this year, Robert Baker set himself the RedR provide immediate relief when challenge of dropping two and a half disaster strikes, but it also addresses To make all the pain, blisters and effort stone over the summer. Robert has the needs of the people involved worth it, please give generously at: raised £565 through the support of his for years after and, increasingly, in uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ friends and family. anticipation of a catastrophic event. Overthehill10’

12 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 13 GET INVOLVED Q & A: STEVE GORDON

WEAR RED 2016 RedR Member Steve Gordon is I attended RedR Security Management Friday 5 February 2016 sees RedR fans the Middle East Regional Security training in 2000 and found the content all over the world step up in scarlet, Advisor for Mercy Corps. A former on humanitarian principles really come together in crimson, and roll up in photojournalist, he has been involved eye-opening. The world has changed red. All individuals and companies are in Mercy Corps’ response to the Syrian dramatically since then, but I still welcome, no matter how big or small, crisis since March 2013. refer back to the lessons I learnt. The humanitarian principles are more vital or where in the world, so register your What inspired you to go into aid work? than ever. interest today to receive more details I started out as a photojournalist. In later in the year. 1998, I travelled to Kosovo to cover the What advice would you give to aspiring conflict there. I was working alongside aid workers? DISASTER RELIEF TEAM BUILDING NGOs, and whilst I initially felt quite I’m concerned by the perception that Our series of practical, unique distant from the work they did, the there is a shortcut to becoming a workshops are perfect for corporate experience opened my eyes to the humanitarian: by taking a particular team building – whether for new impact humanitarian agencies can have. subject at university. Further education graduates or senior management. is an incredible asset - when it’s What do you like most about your job? From designing a refugee camp, combined with experience in the wider As a former journalist, I am captivated to managing the logistics for an world. There are people from every walk by major global events - and I find myself emergency response, participants of life who would love to get involved still having a front seat, which I feel is a will gain practical skills, get to know in humanitarian work but don’t dare great privilege. their colleagues and learn more about apply because they lack direct NGO disaster relief. What do you think are the main experience. We need to be better at challenges facing aid workers today? bringing people with a broad sweep of RUN FOR REDR The politicisation of aid in the post-9/11 different life skills into the sector. On 24 April 2016, over 36,000 runners environment is having a massive impact will take on the legendary London on what we’re able to do. © Steve Gordon Marathon. Join the 26.2 mile challenge and fundraise for RedR by snapping up When I started out, I spent a lot of time one of our guaranteed charity places. in the field dealing with people directly We’ll be right behind you every step of and negotiating informally. I feel that the way to support your fundraising the shift towards remote management and training! - and the lack of contact and basic interpersonal skills that comes with that To find out more about these events, - makes things more dangerous. contact us at [email protected]

14 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 RedR Red Alert Autumn/Winter 2015 15 EXPERT OPINION

Newly appointed Chair of Trustees great to see. Yet at its heart, it’s still Geoff French (CBE) explains his long very much an engineering charity that history of involvement with RedR. deals with engineering issues. I look forward to helping to ensure RedR’s relevance, reputation and quality in the years to come. I’m also keen for us to look for new opportunities to utilise the skills we have as an organisation. A classic example of this has been the Ebola crisis: I was really impressed by how RedR mobilised to meet what was a huge challenge. Unfortunately, one thing we can be sure of is that natural disasters will affect

For as long as RedR has existed, I’ve been a part of it. Peter Guthrie and I You could say that RedR were contemporaries and colleagues is part of my DNA. at Scott Wilson, which hosted the RedR “ secretariat for the first years of the the same parts of the world time and organisation’s existence. I was involved time again. The challenge is therefore in the decision for Scott Wilson to to Build Back Better so that properties become a corporate partner, and it’s - and communities - are better able also a charity that my wife and I have to withstand the forces of nature that supported personally. You could say they’re going to be subjected to. that RedR is part of my DNA. We’re also witnessing an increasing When I was offered the opportunity to number of man-made disasters - like further my commitment by becoming the one which inspired RedR’s creation a Trustee, I was very keen to take it. 35 years ago, and which now seems Becoming Chair seemed like the logical like such a small population movement extension of that. compared to something like the Syrian RedR has evolved enormously in the 35 crisis. In this respect, establishing years since its creation. It has increased an office in Amman is an extremely in size and strength, which has been relevant step for RedR to be taking.

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