Urban disasters – lessons from Haiti

Study of member agencies' responses to the earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti, January 2010:

This report provides a context analysis and a commentary on the effectiveness of Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) agencies' response to the Haiti earthquake and how this differed from rural responses. It also address five questions concerning: (i) using and building social and human capital; (ii) balancing short term and long term needs; (iii) assumptions made; (iv) tools and instruments used; and (v) addressing preparedness and resilience.

It urges agencies to consider existing approaches such as the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and engage in actions that strengthen institutions, build ‘a culture of safety’ and reduce underlying risk, in order to genuinely prepare for the next big urban disaster.