Engineers in Disasters and Post Conflict

Neil Greet A Series of Workshops for the Year of Humanitarian Engineering

A Whimsical Journey?

 Humanity

◦ To bring assistance to people in distress without discrimination

 Impartiality

◦ Action is based solely on need

 Neutrality

◦ Humanitarian action must not favour any side in an armed conflict

 Independence

◦ Humanitarian action must be kept separate from political, economic, military or other objectives

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       

The humanitarian imperative comes first; Aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone; Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint; We shall endeavour not to be used as an instrument of government foreign policy; We shall respect culture and custom; We shall attempt to build disaster response on local capacities; Ways shall be found to involve program beneficiaries in the management of relief aid; Relief aid must strive to reduce vulnerabilities to future disaster as well as meeting basic needs; We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to assist and those from whom we accept resources; In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall recognize disaster victims as dignified human beings, not hopeless objects.

 "Humanitarian engineering brings enhanced

well-being, welfare, and comfort to any individual or community in disadvantaged circumstances and is inclusive of research, design, manufacturing and construction. The issues to be addressed in engineering terms might include chronic ongoing conditions for an individual or group, or be associated with high-impact disasters and emergencies which imperil large numbers of people."

 Domestic Disasters - Brisbane 27 Sep

 Defence and Humanitarian Engineering

Andrew Burns Lecture – Hobart 6 Oct  UN and Resilience - Melbourne 18 Oct  International Disasters – Sydney 20 Oct  Regional and Indigenous – Darwin 3 Nov  Risk and Uncertainty Management – Adelaide 7 Dec

 www.engineersaustralia.org.au/humanitarian_

portal  Provides a central node for network  All Presentations available  A Discussion Forum  Available for about 12 months

 Mr Dechlan Ellis (SKM) – The Contribution of ADF

Reserves.  Mr Joe Chapman (AECOM) – An alternative view to what Industry can do?  Elizabeth Barber (UNSW) – Connection with Humanitarian Logistics  Mr Andrew Balmaks (Noetic Group) – An Alternative Approach for PNG Engineers  Mr Peter Jensen (AusAID) – Australian Civilian Corps  Captain Clare O’Neill (ADF) – Defence Perspective

 Understanding Values

 Delivering for Community  Managing Transition

 Understanding Small Systems  Delivering Technical Mastery  Psychosocial Demands

 Information and a Systems Approach  Organisational and Institutional

Barriers  Intelligent Risk Management  Increasing role for Industry  Improved Connection delivering Coordination  Change is necessary

The ‘take home’ messages • Recovery is about people • Think of what humans need, not what is easiest, most practical, or looks best on paper • Engage with communities (get help if you need) • Community recovery is very long term - allow for this

Remember that you are part of community - there is no ‘them’

COMMUNITY

Jyogan Tsunami (July 13, 869; M8.3～8.6) About 1,000 people were killed (population of Japan was about 6 million). It is written in old document (Sandaijitsuki).

Geological survey of soil layers in Sendai plain has shown on the soil layers in Sendai plain found other two depositional sand layers with several centimeters thickness proved the content written in Sandaijitsuki. *As a result, it is concluded that the area has experienced huge tsunamis at an interval of 800～1,100 years.

x7.0 MW

Physical Environment affected

Vulnerability Risk - Annual Damage Percentage

Event

Mean+1SD cummulative risk Mean cummulative risk Mean-1SD cummulative risk

0.0035 0.003 0.0025 0.002 0.0015 0.001

CI damage state estimates

0.0005 0 10

100

1000

10000

100000

Return Period considered (years)

Hazard Models

Cost / Recovery

System Models Recovery of disrupted CI

Geospatial Database

asset function (% over time)

Built Environment

Estimated capital stock losses

Direct Loss

People Buildings

Business Residential

Macro-Economic Real GRP, Consumption, Employment, Investment

Estimated losses

Infrastructure Impact footprint over time

Business resilience Population affected

Community Profiles Age, Income, Employment, Activity, etc

Casualties

Disruption induced financial costs & revenue losses

Estimated productivity losses

Indirect Loss

Injuries, Fatalities, Medical costs

Assistance FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS

U N

HOST GOVERNMENT

N G O

A G E N C Y

COMMUNITY INDIVIDUALS Direct Assistance Vulnerabilities

TIME

Rights

Government

Society

Commercial

 12th Chief Engineer Works (12 CE Wks) was a

small Army unit of engineering officers and senior non-commissioned officers supporting the PNG Works Department based at Mendi in the Southern Highlands. 12 CE Wks was disbanded in1998. Recently an anthropologist who is a long time resident of the Southern Highlands lamented the loss of 12 CE Wks. While they bore no weapons they bought a sense of security and governance that was present daily and a visible part of the community.

 The aim of the series of national workshops

and seminars is to examine and develop where necessary improved integration of engineering efforts in the acute phases of disasters and complex emergencies.

A Whimsical Journey?