INTRODUCTION
The fourth step is to create the recovery strategic framework and supporting policies. The third step of recovery plan addresses WHAT is the recovery vision, WHAT are the intended outcomes, and WHAT are the intended outputs. The recovery strategic framework and policies address the HOW: the overall recovery approach, and the key principles which the lead agency and all government and civil society stakeholders agree to follow in the recovery planning process.
The lead agency can guide the development of the strategic framework and policies. Common themes in successful recovery strategic frameworks include policies to build back better, converting adversity to opportunity, and pro-poor recovery.
CREATE THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
According to the “Guide to Developing Disaster Recovery Frameworks” (2014) successful disaster recovery experiences from around the world have in common the adoption of at least three of the following key policy imperatives:
(a) BUILDING BACK BETTER. There is a lack of consensus among recovery policy makers and practitioners on what Building Back Better should include or not include. At a minimum it signifies policy commitment to right-sizing, right-siting and improving the resilience of critical infrastructure
(b) CONVERTING ADVERSITY INTO OPPORTUNITY. Disaster recovery can be an opportunity for replacing old infrastructure and updating service delivery systems with affordable yet resilient improvements.
(c) PRO-POOR RECOVERY. Prioritizing reconstruction planning to address the needs of socio-economically vulnerable individuals and groups contributes towards the construction of an equitable society. If their needs are ignored, the poor and vulnerable are more susceptible to future hazards and shocks.
Based on the key policy imperatives, the following strategic framework can be considered and adapted:
1. Building Back Better (BBB). The infrastructure component of the recovery plan will be based on upgraded structural design using updated building codes, hazard and risk maps, land-use plans and other technological innovations that promote longer-term disaster risk reduction and resilience.
2. Rapid rebuilding of people’s livelihoods and accelerate the revitalization of the local economy. Early revival of production, trade and the creation of income and employment opportunities will support the people’s own initiatives. The immediate restoration of livelihoods will avert food shortage and lessen the dependency of the people from outside aid.
3. Focus on the most vulnerable and socially disadvantaged groups such as children, women, and the disabled. Recovery programming will give priority to the most vulnerable groups, including female-headed households, children and orphans, and the poor, and take into account those with special needs, to avoid their being overlooked.
4. Community consultation and use of local knowledge and skills. The participation of the community in all process (identification, planning, design and implementation) of recovery activities will be undertaken to help ensure the acceptability of projects and optimize the use of local initiatives, resources and capacities.
5. Secure development gains. The recovery strategies, although may be a separate set of activities, will support the existing development plans and will attempt to re-establish and secure previous development gains.
6. Coordinated and coherent approaches to recovery. Projects for disaster recovery will be coordinated by an appointed agency to have an effective coordination among all involved agencies based on comprehensive information exchange, flexibility in administrative procedures, and uniformity of policies.
7. Efficient use of financial resources. Fund sources will be identified for the recovery activities. Funds from international donor partners will be initially identified and assistance to the recovery of the private sector will be defined.
8. Procurement. Since the recovery projects are urgent in nature, there may be a need to review the procurement processes and procedure of the government. Are the existing procurement rules enough to expedite project implementation? If not, is it possible to adopt a separate rule of procurement for the recovery projects? If the government decides to adopt a new set of rules, it may need to harmonize the said rules with those of the partner funding agencies to promote transparency, accountability and avoid conflict during post-project auditing.
9. Transparency and accountability. The plan and its implementation will be transparent, especially to those affected, through open and wide dissemination of information on all aspects of the recovery process. A well-defined monitoring and evaluation system for the overall implementation of the recovery plan will be established.
Example Strategic Framework
Recovery after Typhoon Yolanda / Haiyan in the Philippines
| The Core Recovery Principles Outlined in Reconstruction Assistance On Yolanda (RAY) |
| The Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan for the Areas Affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) are the following: Local governments will be responsible for implementation, to ensure that recovery is tailored to local conditions and promotes community participation, ownership and sustainability. The national government will take charge of oversight and coordination but will make sure that there is flexibility in local implementation. Recovery programs will promote inclusiveness and sustainable livelihoods in order to address pre-existing poverty issues that drive disaster risk in the affected areas. Gender considerations will be incorporated into the design and implementation of recovery and reconstruction activities to address gender inequality and promote women’s empowerment. There will be an emphasis on fast tracking the implementation of programs and activities, but at the same time systems will also be put in place to track and assess performance, to ensure transparency and accountability. RAY is guided by the “build back better” principle, which focuses on sustainable efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen capacities to cope with future hazard events. The overall intended impact of the Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation program is to establish sustainable, resilient regions with high and sustainable growth that are able to withstand and recover from disasters faster and better.
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| Outcomes |
| The recovery and rehabilitation program is anchored on the achievement of four main outcomes in the short- to medium-term: Livelihood and business development – Sustainable incomes are restored or established for households and businesses adversely affected by Yolanda Housing and resettlement – Yolanda-affected families have access to affordable, disaster resilient housing, and families located in unsafe zones are resettled to safer areas Social services – Yolanda-affected communities are able to access education, health, and social protection services Physical infrastructure – Public and privately-owned infrastructure facilities affected by Yolanda are reconstructed or rehabilitated according to improved disaster resilient standards.
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| Cross-Cutting Issues |
| Consistent with national policies, gender, environment, and disaster risk reduction and mitigation will be mainstreamed in the plans, programs, and activities of the recovery and rehabilitation program.
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Source: Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda – Implementation for Results, NEDA, Philippines, 2014
