A new aid paradigm is needed - report

Local communities have proven much more resilient to emergencies than aid agencies have realised, says this year's World Disaster Report by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. "For so many years, victims of disasters have been portrayed as helpless, desperate and dependent," said Francoise Le Goff, head of the Federation's Southern Africa delegation. Rather than powerless recipients of aid, they have repeatedly demonstrated their resourcefulness, and aid organisations should cooperate with the communities to build and enhance their capacity, the report said. "People continually adapt to crisis, coming up with creative solutions. Supporting resilience means more than delivering relief or mitigating individual hazards," said Marku Niskala, secretary-general of the Federation. "A new aid paradigm is needed. Only a developmental approach, building on local priorities and capacities, can ensure interventions are effective and sustainable. A multidimensional response is needed, supporting livelihoods, irrigation, nutrition, education, clean water and sanitation, as well as prevention and care," said Le Goff.