Nurses and disaster risk reduction, response and recovery

libingccmb

                                                                                                                                                [size=14.000000pt]Nurses and disaster risk reduction, response and recovery
                                        [size=11.000000pt]Disasters have a devasting effect on individuals, populations and economies, and theysignificantly impede progress towards sustainable development. According to the UnitedNations, a disaster is an event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or societyand causes widespread human, material, or environmental losses and impacts that exceedthe affected community’s ability to cope with those negative impacts.[size=7.000000pt]1
                                        [size=11.000000pt]Nurses remain an underused resource in disaster risk reduction, response and recovery forcommunities around the world. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) believes that theinvolvement of nurses is essential to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk. Accordingto the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, adopted by the UN GeneralAssembly, this will be achieved by preventing and reducing hazard exposure and vulnerabilityto disaster, and by increasing preparedness for effective response and recovery, therebystrengthening resilience.[size=7.000000pt]2 [size=11.000000pt]A nation’s capacity to undertake this role will depend, in part, on theabilities of its health workforce.
                                        [size=11.000000pt]Disasters are exacerbated by global climate change, rapid population growth, unplannedurbanisationandenvironmentaldegradation.3,4 [size=11.000000pt]Disastersoccurwhenavulnerablecommunityor society is exposed to hazards and has an insufficient capacity to prepare for and respondeffectively to mitigate the impact of the hazard(s). Hazards may be natural: geophysical(earthquake, volcano eruption), hydrological (tsunami), climatological (extreme temperatures,drought), meteorological (cyclone, tornado) or biological (disease epidemic).[size=7.000000pt]3 [size=11.000000pt]They may alsobe technological or human-induced as the result of armed conflict, famine, environmentaldegradation or chemical and radiological incidents.
                                        [size=11.000000pt]Regardless of the source, disasters can erode essential services, such as the infrastructurefor the provision of healthcare, electricity, water, sewage/garbage removal, transport andcommunications, seriously affecting the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmentalassets of individuals and communities.[size=7.000000pt]2 [size=11.000000pt]Disaster can lead to loss in lives, livelihoods andhealth, and severely impact the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assetsof persons, businesses, communities and countries.[size=7.000000pt]3
                                        [size=11.000000pt]Developing nations are particularly vulnerable to disasters as they may not have disasterpreparedness systems in place and may have higher levels of poverty, poor governance,inequalities and reduced access to resources and assets. Vulnerable groups of individuals,including children, older people, indigenous people and people with disabilities, require specialattention during and after a disaster, as the impact of disasters can reinforce, perpetuate, andincrease existing inequalities.[size=7.000000pt]1
                                        [size=11.000000pt]The daily physical and psychological needs of nurses may be greaterdue to frequent and first-hand exposure to human tragedy, as they often provide care withscarce resources and they often work in unsafe environments.[size=7.000000pt]5
                                        [size=9.000000pt]ICN • CIE • CII
                                        [size=9.000000pt]3, place Jean-Marteau, 1201 Geneva - Switzerland - Tel.: +41 22 908 01 00Fax: +41 22 908 01 01 - e-mail: [size=9.000000pt]icn@icn.ch [size=9.000000pt]- web: www.icn.ch
                               
                                                                        [size=10.000000pt]1
                               
                       
                                                                                                                        [size=11.000000pt]It is important to note that nurses and their families are
                               
                       
                                                                                                                        [size=11.000000pt]disproportionately affected as a result of the need for nurses to form part of the first response
                               
                       
                                                                                                                        [size=11.000000pt]and recovery groups.
                               
                       
                                                               
                                                                                                                                        [size=11.000000pt]Disaster(s) may negatively impact the physical and mental health of those affected by creatingconditions such as lack of security and safety; gender-based violence; lack of access to basicgoods and services, including health services; family separation; abuse, neglect, andexploitation of vulnerable persons, and discrimination.[size=7.000000pt]1 [size=11.000000pt]Furthermore, these conditions mayrepresent a violation of human rights, with some individuals experiencing obstacles to defendand claim their rights.[size=7.000000pt]6,7 [size=11.000000pt]Social challenges posed by disasters put individuals at great risk ofexperiencing mental health and psychosocial problems, and support in this regard is crucial.
                                        [size=11.000000pt]There is, therefore, a need for qualified individuals to engage in the implementation of local,national, regional and global risk reduction plans and strategies, to enable them to bring theirexpertise and pragmatic guidance.[size=7.000000pt]3 [size=11.000000pt]Nurses have a vital role to play in all phases of disaster(s).Their knowledge of community resources, their understanding of the needs of vulnerablepopulations, health workforce planning and clinical knowledge and skills, allow them to play astrategic role in promoting cooperation of health and social sectors, governmental agenciesand non-governmental organisations, including humanitarian organisations and communitygroups, and make them of immense value during disaster risk prevention, response, andrecovery.
                                        [size=12.000000pt]ICN Position and Recommendations
                                        [size=11.000000pt]As the global voice of nursing the ICN:
                                       

                                               
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Strongly believes that nurses must be involved in the development and implementation ofdisaster risk reduction, response and recovery policies at the international level.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Advocates for adoption of disaster risk reduction, response and recovery strategies bygovernments together with private sector, and other stakeholders, to prevent the loss oflives, livelihoods and health.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Believes that disaster risk reduction, response and recovery planning must includestrategies to support the resilience of nurses. This involves ensuring nurses’ personalsafety and physical and psychological health and wellbeing in the short and long term.Furthermore, ICN believes that support to nurses’ families and dependents should beprovided if they are involved in the recovery phase, as this may be extended andundefined.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Promotes strategies that support social justice and equity of access to needed healthcareand social services, and calls on governments and disaster risk managementorganizations to establish the support systems required to address the health needs ofpeople affected by disaster.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Strongly believes that community participation is fundamental to successfully align nationalpolicies with local disaster risk reduction needs.[size=7.000000pt]8 [size=11.000000pt]As such, it is vital to advocate for thecritical involvement of women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, older persons,indigenous peoples and migrants.[size=7.000000pt]3 [size=11.000000pt]In addition, that people with life-threatening and chronicdiseases, and those who are isolated, should be included in the design of policies tomanage their risks before, during and after disasters.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Strongly believes that there must be a link between relief and development planning.Furthermore, that relief operations must develop and adhere to credible accountabilitysystems to ensure appropriate, effective use of financial, technical, and human resources.[size=7.000000pt]8 [size=10.000000pt]2
                                                          [size=9.000000pt]ICN • CIE • CII
                                                          [size=9.000000pt]3, place Jean-Marteau, 1201 Geneva - Switzerland - Tel.: +41 22 908 01 00Fax: +41 22 908 01 01 - e-mail: [size=9.000000pt]icn@icn.ch [size=9.000000pt]- web: www.icn.ch
  
                                         

                               
                       
                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                       

                                               
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Supports and encourages education and training of nurses in disaster risk reduction,response and recovery, which is guided by the ICN Framework of Disaster NursingCompetencies.[size=7.000000pt]9
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Strongly advocates for the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial support forresponders and survivors, and for their families, as part of the health response to disasterand disaster recovery.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Supports the Sendai Framework, including the following guiding principles and prioritiesfor action:[size=7.000000pt]3
                                                         
  
                                                                 
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Disaster risk reduction requires an all-of-society engagement and partnership,empowerment, and inclusive, accessible and non-discriminatory participation.
    
                                                                   
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Disaster risk management is aimed at protecting individuals and their health,livelihoods, property and productive assets, as well as cultural and environmentalassets, while promoting and protecting all human rights.
    
                                                                   
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]The responsibility to reduce disaster risk primarily lies with the State, but it is sharedwith local government, the private sector and other stakeholders across relevantsectors.
    
                                                                   
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Action must be focused on: understanding disaster risk; strengthening disaster riskgovernance to manage disaster risk; investing in disaster risk reduction forresilience; enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and on‘Building Back Better’ in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
                                                                            [size=12.000000pt]ICN encourages national nurses’ associations (NNAs), in collaboration withtheir respective government to[size=12.000000pt]:
    
                                                           
  
                                         

                                       

                                               
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Actively participate in supporting institutions and governments to prepare in advance fordisaster(s) by assessing potential hazards and vulnerabilities, and by increasing theirability to predict, warn of and respond to disaster, for example through a national disasterplan and emergency funds.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Develop and/or support a regulatory framework that helps nurses meet regulatoryrequirements in a timely manner when deployment is needed to provide nursing care inan affected jurisdiction.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Actively engage with governments so that they develop a binding strategy which isintended to fulfil the four priorities set out in the Sendai Framework for Disaster RiskReduction.[size=7.000000pt]3
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Encourage governments to plan for responding to the basic needs of nurses in the eventof a disaster, ensuring a system is in place that aims to provide food, water and shelter,as well as continued compensation and incentives that are normally provided for timeworked.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Actively participate in strategic planning and implementing of disaster plans to ensurenursing input.
                                                          [size=9.000000pt]ICN • CIE • CII
                                                          [size=9.000000pt]3, place Jean-Marteau, 1201 Geneva - Switzerland - Tel.: +41 22 908 01 00Fax: +41 22 908 01 01 - e-mail: [size=9.000000pt]icn@icn.ch [size=9.000000pt]- web: www.icn.ch
  
                                         

                               
                                                                        [size=10.000000pt]3
                               
                       
                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                       

                                               
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Ensure a register of nurses who are trained and able to respond to a disaster, and whoare linked to an organisation or agency participating in the coordination of disasterresponse and recovery in the country.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Incorporate disaster risk reduction, response and recovery in educational programmesaccording to local needs, and provide opportunities for continuing education to ensure asound knowledge base, skill development, and ethical framework for practice.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]In the response phase of a disaster, assist in the efforts to mobilise the necessaryresources, including access to food, water, sanitation, shelter and medicines, and supportthe coordination of care, giving special attention to vulnerable groups.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]In the recovery phase, work with the community to plan for long-term needs, includingpsycho-social, economic, and legal needs [size=12.000000pt]– [size=11.000000pt]for example through counselling, resettlementand documentation.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Advocate for the continued care needs of those with injuries, disabilities, non-communicable and communicable diseases and mental health needs, paying particularattention to more vulnerable groups.
  
                                                 
•                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Partner with other health professional organisations, independent, local and nationalbranches of government, international agencies and non governmental organisations toimplement all aspects of the Sendai Framework and evaluate performance on an ongoingbasis.[size=7.000000pt]2
                                                          [size=12.000000pt]ICN calls on individual nurses in their role as clinicians, educators, researchers,policy influencers, or executives to:
                                                         
  
                                                                 
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Actively engage in disaster risk committees and policy-making for disaster risk reduction,response and recovery.
    
                                                                   
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Seek continuing professional development opportunities in disaster risk reduction,response and recovery.
    
                                                                   
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Be competent to provide disaster relief and meet the health needs according to the typeof disaster and the given situation.
    
                                                                   
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Be informed of diseases, such as cholera, and changes in social behaviours, such astheft, that may be associated with disasters and which may be exacerbated by adeterioration in living conditions, and of associated physical and mental health, socio-economic, and nursing or care needs of individuals and communities, and identifymechanisms to deal with these situations.
    
                                                                   
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Be familiar with and raise public awareness of those disasters that their region and countryare most likely to experience.
    
                                                                   
  •                                                                         [size=11.000000pt]Work closely with other healthcare and allied professionals in establishing comprehensiveand collaborative disaster risk reduction plans.
    
                                                           
  
                                         

                               
                       
                                                                                                                                                [size=11.000000pt]Adopted in 2001Reviewed and revised in 2006, 2019
                               
                       
                                                                                                [size=10.000000pt]4
                               
                       
                                                                                                                        [size=9.000000pt]ICN • CIE • CII
                                        [size=9.000000pt]3, place Jean-Marteau, 1201 Geneva - Switzerland - Tel.: +41 22 908 01 00Fax: +41 22 908 01 01 - e-mail: [size=9.000000pt]icn@icn.ch [size=9.000000pt]- web: www.icn.ch
                               
                       
                                       
                                                                                                                [size=10.000000pt]References
                                        [size=10.000000pt]_________________                                        [size=6.000000pt]1 [size=10.000000pt]United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2009) International Strategy for DisasterReduction (UNISDR) terminology on disaster risk reduction [Internet]. UNISDR, Geneva: [cited 2018Mar 22]. Available from: [size=10.000000pt]www.unisdr.org/files/7817_UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf
                                        [size=6.000000pt]2 [size=10.000000pt]United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015) Sendai Framework for disaster riskreduction 2015-2030 [Internet]. UNISDR, Geneva: [cited 2018 Mar 22]. Available from:[size=10.000000pt]https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/43291
                                        [size=6.000000pt]3 [size=10.000000pt]United States Agency for International Development (2011) Introduction to disaster risk reduction.Available from: [size=10.000000pt]http://www.preventionweb.net/files/26081_kp1concepdisasterrisk1.pdf
                                        [size=6.000000pt]4 [size=10.000000pt]Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2018) Global warming of 1.5[size=10.000000pt]°[size=10.000000pt]C: Summary forPolicymakers. World Health Organization and United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva:Available from: IPCC SR1.5. 33 p. [size=10.000000pt]www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
                                        [size=6.000000pt]5 [size=10.000000pt]Johal S, Mounsey Z, Brannelly P, Johnston D (2016) Nurse perspectives on the practical, emotional,and professional impacts of living and working in post-earthquake Canterbury, New Zealand.Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 10–16. [cited 2018 Oct 29]. Available from:10.1017/S1049023X15005439
                                        [size=6.000000pt]6 [size=10.000000pt]Inter Agency Standing Committee Reference Group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support inEmergency Settings (2010). Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian emergencies:What should humanitarian health actors know? IASC, Geneva: [cited 2018 Mar 20]. Available from:[size=10.000000pt]www.who.int/mental_health/emergencies/what_humanitarian_health_actors_should_know.pdf?ua=1
                                        [size=6.000000pt]7 [size=10.000000pt]Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2011) IASC Operational Guidelines on the Protection ofPersons in Situations of Natural Disasters IASC, Geneva: [cited 2018 Mar 20] Available from:[size=10.000000pt]www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/IDPersons/OperationalGuidelines_IDP .pdf
                                        [size=6.000000pt]8 [size=10.000000pt]United Nations General Assembly (2014) Third United National World Conference on Disaster RiskReduction: Preparatory Committee, First session, 14-15 July 2014. Compilation report onconsultations on the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. UNGA, Geneva.[size=10.000000pt]http://undocs.org/en/A/CONF.224/PC(I)/5
                                        [size=6.000000pt]9 [size=10.000000pt]International Council of Nurses (2009) ICN Framework for disaster nursing competencies[size=10.000000pt]. [size=10.000000pt]ICN,Geneva: [cited 2018 Mar 22] Available from:[size=10.000000pt]http://www.wpro.who.int/hrh/documents/icn_framework.pdf?ua=1 [size=10.000000pt](Last accessed 11 Feb 2019.)
                                        [size=9.000000pt]All rights, including translation into other languages, reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced in print, by photostatic means or in any other manner, or stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted in any form, or sold without the express written permission of the International Councilof Nurses. Short excerpts (under 300 words) may be reproduced without authorisation, on conditionthat the source is indicated.
                                        [size=9.000000pt]Copyright © 2019 by ICN - International Council of Nurses,3, place Jean-Marteau, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
                                        [size=9.000000pt]ICN • CIE • CII
                                        [size=9.000000pt]3, place Jean-Marteau, 1201 Geneva - Switzerland - Tel.: +41 22 908 01 00Fax: +41 22 908 01 01 - e-mail: [size=9.000000pt]icn@icn.ch [size=9.000000pt]- web: www.icn.ch
                               
                                                                        [size=10.000000pt]5