DisasterLessons & Guidance on the Management & DistributionFunds of Disaster Funds

Written by Dr Anne Eyre for Disaster Action with foreword by Professor Iain McLean Disaster Funds

About the Author Dr Anne Eyre is a sociologist specialising in psychosocial aspects of disasters and their management. She is also Vice Chair of Disaster Action and the primary researcher for this project. Project Steering Committee Sophie Tarassenko - Chair (Trustee and Co-chair, Disaster Action) Judy Cooper (Secretary/Director, Disaster Action) Pamela Dix (Executive Director, Disaster Action) Iain Philpott (Trustee and Co-chair, Disaster Action)

Acknowledgements We would like to thank the Humanitarian Assistance Unit at the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), for enabling us to complete this independent report by providing funding assistance for this project, and in particular Frances MacLeod for her encouragement and support. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors, Dr Anne Eyre and Disaster Action, and not necessarily those of the DCMS. We are especially grateful to the following individuals who assisted us with advice, information and support during the initiation and development of the project: Colleagues in Disaster Action, Lucy Easthope, Margaret Lally, Rosalind McDonagh, Linzi McDonald, Jon Oliver, John Richardson, Kathy Settle, John Stoker, Liz Urben and Moya Wood Heath. Our appreciation goes to Carol Stone for reviewing and commenting on the final draft of the report. Our grateful thanks also go to Professor Iain McLean for kindly writing the foreword.

Edited by Pamela Dix First Published by Disaster Action, 2010 No. 4, 71 Upper Berkeley Street, London W1H 7DB Charity no.: 1005728 © Disaster Action, 2010

ISBN: 978-0-9538331-1-5

i Disaster Funds

Executive Summary Since the nineteenth century, relief funds have been a common response to disas- ters. Yet, as one review has shown, ‘they are often fraught with potential problems that can further distress those whom they are designed to help’ (McLean & Johnes 2000:134). Fund trustees must aim to meet the donating public’s expectations that they will use the fund, as far as is possible, to provide for the ascertainable needs of those who are victims of the disaster. In order to achieve this aim, within the limits of their legal powers as trustees, they may look for guidance on management and distribu- tion. Limited guidance is available to local authorities and other responders on how to set up and manage disaster funds. This report complements and builds on existing guidance. While it is especially aimed at those authorities and individuals who may become advisers, trustees, managers and/or administrators of future appeal funds, it will be of interest to oth- ers interested and involved in planning and responding to the longer term needs of those affected by disasters. Doubts about the nature of disaster appeals should be avoided as far as possible, and those who give to such funds should know that their generosity will have the results that they intend. The report reviews existing literature drawn from a range of fields such as law, his- torical and community studies and disaster management. We consulted the latest guidelines from the Charity Commissioner and the Attorney General as well as in- ternational guidance and the reflections, lessons and advice from previous trustees and beneficiaries. The opening chapters set the context for the guidance that fol- lows by exploring the impact of disasters and the fact that people often give sponta- neously and generously after emergencies. We review various forms of financial -as sistance and sources of guidance available in the aftermath of disaster, which those managing and administering disaster funds should be aware of. The rest of the report presents key findings from our extensive review of previous appeal funds and implications for those administering future ones. This is presented in ‘chronological’ order, starting with issues in first launching