The CCCM sector has learned from its experiences in both conflicts and natural disasters, and has been continuously reviewing its projects, programs and responses. This first edition of CCCM Case Studies presents 12 summaries of CCCM activities from 11 different countries. The purpose of this publication is to provide lessons as a knowledge base to support humanitarian operations (in both emergency and protracted contexts). Programs introduced in these case studies were implemented by CCCM Cluster agencies, as well as national authorities, in response to large-scale displacement caused by different types of humanitarian crises: these include earthquakes (Haiti), floods (Namibia, Thailand, Pakistan), typhoons (the Philippines), conflicts (Burundi, Kenya, Myanmar, Pakistan, Uganda, Yemen), and complex emergencies (Colombia). In light of these diverse contexts, each case study portrays experiences, successful practices, challenges and lessons.
 

Background

The March 2011 floods affected a region where 60% of Namibia’s population lives. On March 29th, the President of the Republic of Namibia officially declared a state of national disaster. During the response, camp management was identified as a key challenge to the government. The Director for Disaster Risk Management invited an international organization to provide critical technical support through facilitation of CCCM trainings. Namibia has been exposed to extreme weather conditions and recurring natural disasters. Although good response systems have emerged within the government, they were limited by human resources and capacities. Furthermore, Namibia’s modest size necessitated the centralization of all activities, and required support at the national level as well. For developing CCCM trainings for Namibia, principles were established that the national authorities of Namibia has ownership and leadership in the training process, as well as fostering government and other organizations’ participation and commitment to training activities. Two training packages were developed comprising of more than 80 simple and practical tools, which used images and illustrations to disseminate key messages. This attracted participants’ attention and enabled them to identify the messages in a faster and easier way, and they brought color and fun to the training.

Evolving capacity building programs

A CCCM capacity building program was initiated after the 2011 flooding in the northern regions of Namibia.
The program was requested and developed in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister. The project had three components – CCCM capacity-building, information management, and site planning based on

international standards. In line with these components, a national CCCM training package and participatory learning tools were developed, taking into account the specific Namibian context. A total of 48 participants received training and 37 of which were selected for a Training of Trainers (ToT) in the second phase of the project, based on their demonstrated capacity and commitment. With national support and a commitment to enhance national resilience to natural disasters, trainings were continuously rolled out in 2012. Over the course of 64 trainings, an additional 1,633 people were trained, including government officials, emergency officers, staff of international organizations, volunteers, local NGO staff, police, and community members. In 2013, the project further expanded its focus to include broader topics in disaster risk management. A contextualized disaster risk management training package was developed for Namibia utilizing existing national resources and institutional frameworks for disaster risk management. Based on this training package, three Trainings of Trainers (ToT) were delivered, targeting 85 disaster risk management practitioners from all 13 regions of the country. Following the drought disaster declared in May 2013, the training package has been well received by the participants since it was developed in a holistic manner to address Namibia’s multiple regional hazards and regional disaster risk management.

The CCCM and DRM training packages

Both training packages were produced using participatory learning approaches to support the adult learning process which encourages reflection and brainstorming. They were designed to support training not only for national, regional and local authorities and actors, but also for disaster prone communities. The training packages were built on the disaster risk management framework and hazard profile of Namibia. The Namibia CCCM training package consists of three main components: ▪▪Trainer’s guide: Instructions on the foundations of facilitation and the main characteristics of an effective trainer, with recommendations on how to prepare and conduct training sessions. ▪▪12 training chapters: Each chapter covers one dedicated topic estimated to be completed within three hours to adequately facilitate the training for a group of dedicated participants.

Toolbox: A diverse collection of 51 tools that supports the training chapters.

The disaster risk management training package consists of four main components: Study guide: Introducing topics of disaster risk management and providing a guide for trainers.

Training sessions: Contains 10 topics for national, regional and local disaster risk management actors and communities. ▪▪DRM booklet: Compiling key tools with essential messages for broader information dissemination and awareness-raising.

Tool package: Including 32 simple, practical and visual tools such as hazard calendars, simple rapid needs assessment, and safe shelter video. Intended to be used to enhance key messages and support the training delivery of trainers.

Of these CCCM and DRM training packages, the following tools were particularly well accepted in the capacity building programs:

The CCCM Manual is intended to serve as a reference guide for practitioners in camp coordination and camp management in Namibia, to ensure that internally displaced persons are granted adequate protection and assistance during natural disasters. The manual builds on the overall national disaster risk management framework and is developed to serve as a key reference for camp coordination and camp management in Namibia. 

The Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Assistance and Standards Calculator Manual is a tool for humanitarian actors in Namibia involved in site planning and implementation of standards in relocation sites. It ensures a practical understanding of the minimum standards to be implemented when establishing a relocation site, as well as in site planning, and site selection.

The Standards Calculator generates an automated calculation of a quantifiable standard of tents, latrines, and other items based on the number of IDPs residing in the displacement site. The calculations are based on the SPHERE Standards and on the standards manual developed for Namibia. The tool will assist actors involved in disaster risk management for prepositioning as well as for monitoring available resources and potential gaps in the response.

The Disaster Information End User Manual and its corresponding tools have been developed to strengthen data collection mechanisms and overall information management and coordination systems in Namibia; through harmonized data collection tools, monitoring systems for displacement, and centralized information management platform for information sharing and coordination.

Project expansion and interregional exchange

The scope of Namibia’s capacity building efforts has been both maintained and expanded. Trained trainers continue to incorporate CCCM methodologies into their planning and implementation. Furthermore, the government approved the deployment of local trainers to southern African countries to initiate a regional CCCM capacity building program. This regional program allowed for initial camp management trainings in Botswana and Mozambique. While in Namibia, the project continued focusing on the broader elements of disaster risk management, and taking a countrywide approach and inviting practitioners from all 13 regions of the country. The program provides an opportunity for inter-regional exchange between the three countries while also giving a number of Namibia’s trainers exposure to other countries as part of the training delivery.

Lessons

Throughout the development of capacity building programs, several lessons were learned:

• The use of tools based on simplified and visual language (such as drawings, illustrations, diagrams, and schematics) was very well received. People tended to identify the messages included in the tools in a faster and easier way, and they brought color and fun to the training component.

• The use of video as a tool was effective. Particularly, the way the safe shelter video presented its content held the attention of the trainees.

• Some tools need to be made simpler and more clear. The easier a tool is, the more likely it will be used, essentially making it more accepted by the audience or user.

• The idea that “disaster risk management is everybody’s business” was disseminated throughout the programs. Everyone from the community level to the regional and national level had the responsibility to implement disaster risk management activities.

• Capacity building programs should be as flexible as possible in developing implementation plans and adapting to local governments and the local context.

• Constant follow-up, coaching, and advocacy are vital as capacity building takes time, senior managers need to understand and support CCCM trainings in order to ensure trainers are available for future training deployments.