Disaster Relief Journey

In 2015, I attended the IDRN (International Disaster Response Network) disaster response workshop conducted by CREST . The 3 days training gave me a preliminary understanding which I have no knowledge at all. I was deeply inspired by CK, the Facilitator, who shared his real-life field stories in a humorous way. Prior to this, I was actively involved in voluntary activities including community services and courses. For the first time I was exposed to this unknown field and It was mind blowing. I learnt about my misconception, limited knowledge and least preparation of disaster, motivated me to look in further.

I received an ID card after the course which allows me to access disaster zone, it's recognised by UN. However, I was hungry to explore deeper and hope to enhance my skills. In next 2 years, I enrolled the 4D3N BDR and 2D1N WISSAR with the objective to better equipped myself.

Knowledge without implementation is nothing. My biggest wish was to join the field mission one day. Luck wasn't with me for almost 4 years and finally in January 2019, I embarked to my very 1st and 2nd disaster relief assignments.

1. Laos flood response

In July 2018, a hydroelectric dam located at Attapeu province collapse, immediate flash flood destroyed villages located downstream, causing thousands of people to be homeless. January mission was to distribute 1,560 live chicken stock and feed to the affected villagers.

2. Indonesia earthquake response

In September 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake stroked Palu, triggering tsunami, liquefaction and landslide.

January mission was to inspect the 390 transitional houses under construction and explored livelihood projects for local community.

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Four years, my dream finally came true

Complicated feelings and thoughts after accomplishment of missions. Despite the knowledge obtained past few years, there were still misconceptions, I believe many of us experience the same, and I would like to document my learning to remind myself in future.

1. Disaster response should not stop at emergency rescue.

The ongoing process of post-disaster reconstruction, livelihood planning, education and preparedness are equally important.

With media influence, our perception of disaster response stays at rescue and distribution, these stages have the most media coverage resulted organizations flood in to gain media exposure. But when there is no longer news report, they leave.

The other reason organisations unable to support long term is financial constraints. Therefore, I truly feel CREST has done a great job all these years as they are consistent and persistent in their missions. They might not be under the spotlight however their strong belief and values support them to contribute unselfishly in humanitarian work despite all the challenges they face.

2. Respect not only donors, but beneficiaries too.

I was helping a villager to fix his wood wall, after it was done, I was asked to rest but I insisted to continue. My teammate explained and this has opened my mind on how I see

this.

For the locals, building houses with their own hands is an important emotional healing process. It's not only a house that they are building but hope too. This is a chance for them to shape the home which they are longing for, put the broken parts together and made it complete and fulfilled again. I did not realize my poor carpenter skill not only nailed uglily but also delayed the construction progress.

Aren't we always believe we are doing good, not realize it's not helping and not what truly needed by others? We are just imposing what we thought to be helpful.

3. Disaster response must begin with the local community.

No matter how great the idea is, it must fit into local custom and believes. This is critical as it shows respect to the community. Working with authorities help to facilitate relief work and obtain permission. Partnering with local experts make resources more accessible as well as increasing employment rate and boost economy. Projects are more sustainable if there is active contribution from locals.

4. Usage of donation fund.

Donors would generally hope every single cent of their fund is channelled to beneficiaries or supplies and work direct related to them.

For example, RM100,000 donations are all use to build a house. The challenge is, beneficiaries may not trained to manage such project, hence, we need professionals to plan and execute the plan. Sad to say that these experts are often overlooked as an important part of the process, their costs are being questioned. Many will need to pay from their own pocket and volunteer to lead projects sponsored by donors.

The management costs should be part of the funding, this will retain talented and passionate specialist to continue their service in managing the fund effectively with accountability.

5. As a volunteer of CREST, we are self-funded.

These including air tickets, lodging, logistic etc. Despite that, we should treat ourselves well. Eat clean and healthy, sleep well. Only if we take good care of ourselves that we can help more people.

I was very ill and wearing masks throughout the entire Palu mission, my poor physical condition has made the journey quite challenging as I couldn't sleep well, lose focus and was worried that my roommate would get infected.

Lesson learnt, be safe, stay healthy, keep an open mind and stay positive. Our wellbeing come first before anything else.

6. The worse damage may not be the epicentre.

We always belief the epicentre get the greatest hit. We were surprise to find out this wasn’t the case in Dong gala (Epicentre of Palu earthquake and tsunami) . Instead, it was Palu, 77 km and Kulawi 127 km away from Donggala. Buildings collapse, houses and human lives vanished. It was the sand soil structure which failed to provide solid foundation for buildings resulted severe damages comparing to epicentre.

7. Think from beneficiaries' perspective.

Local government built many transitional community houses for the earthquake affected families, very few were interested to stay. These houses came with good facilities, clean and new. Locals were not keen as it lacks privacy. They prefer to stay within their own community, where they work, and families and friends are. Hence, CREST transitional houses which are built close to where they were living are more practical.

Overwhelming funding on projects like churches, schools and multi-purpose halls, this may due to the high attention receiving after the project is completed. Whereas less funds are received for projects like shelters, which are necessity to locals. Resources are not even and leverage.

Hence when we run a mission project, the priority should be the needs of beneficiaries and not donors.

8. Assessment is important.

We bumped into a foreign NGO who was distributing high-tech products such as solar lights and water filters. They were rushing from point to point, repeating same pattern to distribute, take group photos, and take off. Minimal communication with the locals and in a hurry when interacting with us.

Locals feedback to us that they were not familiar with the products and found them useless.

To optimize our resources in helping people, we need to first understand what the need is. Allocating huge monetary, time, manpower for something that is not required is truly a waste of resources. These resources can produce greater value to the community if they have done their assessment well.

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With gratitude

Could not put all in writing on what I experienced during this journey. I'm truly blessed to be able to share this awesome and fruitful journey with wonderful people including Dr Yoong, Jennifer Lee, Edvard Tan and CK. I look forward to more opportunities in future to serve people in need and will continue to learn and grow in humanitarian aspect.