Hemispheric Consultation on Indigenous Peoples and Disaster Risk Reduction On 11-12 September 2014, twenty delegates from countries throughout the Western Hemisphere gathered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for a consultation about health sector disaster risk reduction in indigenous communities. ten The two-day meeting was convened by the Department of Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief, in collaboration with the Gender and Cultural Diversity Unit and the Office of the Deputy Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. Co-hosts were the Pacific NorthWest Border Health Alliance (PNWBHA), the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, the First Nations Health Authority, the Washington State Department of Health Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response and the Musqueam Indian Band on the Musqueam Reserve in Vancouver, British Columbia. Delegates came from Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Dominica, the United States Canada . The Consultation was the first of its kind, where indigenous delegates were able to , .and.Guyana meet and, with their own voice, share experiences and discuss strategies intended to reduce risk within their communities. The objectives of the discussions were to increase knowledge and understanding of the disaster risks and needs faced by indigenous populations, as well as their accumulated experience in building resilience to disasters, towards collaboratively developing culturally sensitive tools to reduce disaster risk and better protect health during and after disasters. Through presentations, working groups and plenary sessions delegates discussed the following: • Exchange experiences and good practices for reducing the health impact of disasters • Raise awareness, on the part of risk reduction and health experts and indigenous peoples, of the importance and mutually reinforcing nature of collaboration and engagement on this issue • Identify opportunities for future collaboration and establish mechanisms for longer term engagement to advance health disaster risk reduction in indigenous communities • Identify recommendations to improve disaster risk reduction among the indigenous population of the Americas The agenda, discussion guides, and list of participants attending the Consultation follows. Hemispheric Consultation on Indigenous Peoples and Disaster Risk Reduction Agenda DAY ONE 8:00 Bus departs from the hotel for Conference Center 8:30 – 8:50 Welcome and Opening RemarksWelcome by Host(s), w/ Welcome, Prayer, Presentation– Pacific NorthWest Border Health Alliance: Workgroup on Indigenous Peoples. Evan Adams, PNWBHA Working Group co-chair and Deputy Provincial Health Officer, British ColumBia Welcome Prayer1 Musqueam Elder 8:50 – 9:20 Opening Remarks – Pan American Health Organization v The case for disaster risk reduction in indigenous communities in the Americas. Ciro Ugarte, Director, a.i., Department of Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief v Overview of Ethnic Diversity and Health Sandra del Pino, Specialist, Cultural Diversity 9:20 – 10:20 Introductions and presentations by each participant (based on suggested outline provided to participants) 10:20 – 10:45 Break 10:45 – 11:30 Continuation of presentations by participants 11:30 – 12:00 Charge to the delegates: Objectives of and expectations for the Consultation. John Scott, President, Center for Public Service Communications 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 – 2:30 BREAKOUT GROUP 1 Dealing with emergencies and disasters at community level: Experiences and initiatives. Facilitated discussion. 2:30 – 3:00 Presentation on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: the risk and potential health impacts. Ciro Ugarte, Pan American Health Organization 1 In North America (Canada and the U.S.), it is customary to open a meeting dedicated to indigenous issues with a First Nations/Native American prayer. 3:00 – 3:15 Break 3:15 – 4:45 BREAKOUT GROUP 2 Gaps and needs to improve health sector disaster risk reduction in indigenous communities. Facilitated discussion. 4:45 –5:15 Plenary: Reports from Breakout Groups 1 and 2. Discussion. 5:15 – 5:30 Summary, wrap up, adjournment of Day One. Ciro Ugarte, Pan American Health Organization Adjourn EVENING ACTIVITY ORGANIZED BY CO-HOST DAY TWO 8:00 a.m. Bus departs from the hotel for Conference Center 8:30 – 8:45 Welcome Welcome by Host(s), w/ Welcome, Prayer, PresentationPrayer;, charge for Day Two 8:45 – 9:15 Presentation: Ensuring that health services continue to function in emergencies. Ciro Ugarte, PAHO. 9:15 – 10:15 Plenary: Discussion of strategies for safeguarding health services in disaster situations. 10:15 – 10:45 Break 10:45 – 12:15 BREAKOUT GROUP 3 Identifying strategies and prioritizing interventions for disaster risk reduction. 12:15-1:15 Lunch 1:15 – 2:15 Plenary: Recommendations of Breakout Group 3. Discussion. Panel Discussion: Disaster Risk Reduction at the Global and Regional Level: 2:15 – 3:00 • U.S. Centennial Accord as a model framework for State (non-indigenous)-to-State (Indigenous) relationships. Joe Finkbonner • Pacific-NorthWest Border Health Alliance: model framework for cross-border (Canada- U.S.) relationships involving State Governments and Indigenous Peoples. Evan Adams • Post-2015 Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA2): John Scott • UN Development Agenda 3:00 – 3:30 Break 3:30 – 4:30 BREAKOUT GROUP 4 Moving Forward: strategies for maintaining an ongoing dialogue 4:30 – 5:15 Plenary: Recommendations of Breakout Group 4. Discussion. 5:15 – 5:30 Summary of the Consultation. Closing Ceremony. Ciro Ugarte, PAHO Hemispheric Consultation on Indigenous Peoples and Disaster Risk Reduction Breakout Group 1 Experiences and Initiatives Thursday, 22 May, 1 – 2:30 p.m. The work group will discuss experiences and initiatives (including traditional knowledge and approaches) for disaster risk reduction in indigenous communities, with a focus on health. The items listed below are meant to be a starting point. General • When you think about the concepts of ‘disasters’ and ‘emergencies,’ what comes to mind? • Please provide information on situations where your community has faced a disaster or emergency and the general effects they have had. • What health impacts have arisen following a disaster or emergency? o How has the community dealt with these? o Are some groups more affected more than others? If so, why? Have steps been taken to address the situation prior to the next emergency? o What non-health issues have arisen? What solutions have been identified? • Are you aware of any programs or projects that have been developed with the collaboration of the communities that could address disasters and emergencies? Understanding and preparing for emergencies and disasters • Does your community have a disaster plan? o If so: ü Who contributed to developing the plan within the community? ü Who helped to develop the plan outside the community? o If not, why? • Is there a health component in the plan? o If yes, is traditional medicine considered in the plan? If so, please provide examples. • Do community members have assigned roles during emergencies? • Can you cite examples of how the community prepared for and/or responded to disasters? • What were the results of these preparedness and response efforts? • Does the community have access to information and materials on health, disaster preparedness and response? Is it useful for the community? Is the information available in languages that are spoken or understood in the community? Disaster risk reduction measures • When the term ‘disaster risk reduction’ is used, what comes to mind? • Has the community put in place disaster risk reduction measures (for example, measures to reduce floods, landslides, and other natural hazards)? • Are community members involved in instituting these disaster risk reduction measures? • Can you cite some examples, including any measures in place to ensure that health services can continue to function and provide services? Breakout Group 2 Gaps and needs Thursday, 22 May, 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. The work group will discuss what indigenous communities need to reduce their disaster risk and what gaps still exist (for each ‘need,’ there may or may not be a gap). Where gaps exist, what can be done? The list below provides only a starting point. Please add to it and be as specific as possible. Preparedness • Emergency plans (do these include disaster risk reduction and health issues?) o Does the community have its own emergency plan? If so, how can it be incorporated into municipal/national disaster plans and supported by disaster staff and authorities? • Communications o Is there an open dialogue between indigenous community leader(s) and health and disaster personnel? o What are the main gaps to initiate collaboration/communication with people from outside the community? o Who are the key representatives to liaise with inside and outside the community (with UN, civil society, etc.)? • Training (for whom and by whom; topics; etc.), including for youth. o How do you think civil society, PAHO and others can become more involved in initiatives that address health and disaster risks as seen by the community? Are men, women and youth trained within the community to be prepared on how to reduce risks? o Do you think that disaster preparedness training programs conducted by external actors (UN, health personnel, etc.) take into account the vision of the community and are useful? How? If not, why not? • Information (developing materials; access, etc.) o As a group, please