2 SUMMARY
2.1 This section covers:
- what "care for people" means;
- who the affected people are;
- what is proposed;
- establishing a Care for People Team and its arrangements; and
- a programme for action.
2.2 Care for people
2.2.1 Emergencies have wide-ranging effects on individuals, their families, friends and the communities in which they live or with which they are connected.
2.2.2 Emergencies affect people's personal, social and economic lives. The impact may be transient or prolonged.
2.2.3 Care for people lies at the heart of any emergency response. It is demonstrated by:
- the life-saving activities of the emergency services;
- the parts played by the professional health and caring services and others; and
- the work of volunteers, faith communities, friends and neighbours in helping those affected and rebuilding communities.
2.2.4 Care for people covers a diverse range of activities. In order for these to be effective it is important to ensure that they are managed, co-ordinated and consistent.
2.2.5 In this section "care for people" embraces the actions taken to promote the wellbeing of all people affected by emergencies. It does not include the immediate life saving activities which are well provided for by the emergency services, but it does include meeting the essential needs of survivors when removed from danger. It encompasses:
- the support provided for individuals' personal, physical, practical and health needs;
- direct intervention to assist groups and individuals;
- caring for people affected by insidious and slow developing emergencies that affect their lives in less dramatic but, nonetheless, harmful ways; and
- sustaining and, if necessary, contributing to the regeneration of communities.
2.3 Who the affected people are
2.3.1 The people affected by emergencies can fall into broad categories drawn from all walks of life and backgrounds. They include:
- those directly involved in the emergency who are uninjured;
- those injured;
- the dead;
- the bereaved, families and friends of those involved;
- vulnerable people (including those with disabilities, medical conditions, learning difficulties, the very young and elderly people);
- affected communities, which could be geographical or characterised by common interests or demographic features;
- those indirectly involved in the emergency who need support or reassurance; and
- rescuers and response workers.
2.3.2 However, the list is not, and cannot be, comprehensive, as the impact on people's welfare will depend on the individual and the particular circumstances of an emergency.
2.3.3 It is recognised that the use of generic terms to describe people affected by emergencies is fraught with difficulty and that there are sensitivities related to a number of descriptions. In this guidance the term "those affected" is used simply as a means of describing the many categories of people affected by emergencies.
2.4 What is proposed by this guidance?
2.4.1 The guidance proposes that Strategic Co-ordinating Groups establish multi-agency Care for People Teams in order to:
- prepare for the provision of essential services for those affected by emergencies; and
- co-ordinate a functional response to emergencies at a tactical level.
2.4.2 The guidance recommends that responders identify functional managers to take forward their normal work in emergencies. They will know best how to adapt their skills, knowledge and expertise to care for people in an emergency. It encourages them to work with partners to make local arrangements for preparation and response to emergencies. It provides advice on Care for People Team leadership, management objectives and outcomes.
2.4.3 It indicates how the Care for People Team's activity can be integrated with the overall management framework for response established in each Strategic Co-ordinating Group area.
2.4.4 Advice is given on generic capabilities (for example, survivor reception centres, rest centres, humanitarian assistance centres, etc.) and their part in caring for people.
2.4.5 The guidance does not tell people how to do their jobs. It describes in broad terms the activities required of the Care for People Team and the management framework in which the Team's work is set. Working together to build the Care for People Team, clarifying its partners' roles and responsibilities and agreeing its emergency arrangements (plans) is an essential part of team building.
2.4.6 It is recognised that in some SCG areas the number of organisations involved across a wide area may lead to the need to establish a number of Care for People Teams. However, in these circumstances all of the Care for People Teams' arrangements within a SCG area should be consistent and scalable to enable area wide co-ordination if necessary.
2.4.7 For convenience, the Care for People Team is generally referred to as the Team in the remainder of the guidance.