Learning from GOAL’s Neighborhood Approach to Urban DRR in Haiti

GOAL’s neighborhood approach to disaster risk reduction seeks to increase resilience and reduce risk in urban communities in Haiti through a two-pronged strategy: a) installation of “software” by embedding disaster risk management capacity at the neighborhood level within Community Intervention Teams (EIC) that are trained and linked to the national civil protection system (SNGRD); and b) installation of “hardware,” through community-managed micro-mitigation projects focused on smallscale mitigation infrastructure. This approach was piloted in two high-risk Port-au-Prince neighborhoods over the period of 2013 to 2015 with the support of the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and the European Commission on Humanitarian Operations (ECHO). This report presents the results of a limited study commissioned by GOAL in July 2015 to identify learning in relation to two issues: 1) the complementarity, impact and limitations of GOAL’s community-based DRR approach (physical mitigation and EIC trainings) in comparison to local needs; and 2) the relevance of GOAL’s approach to strengthening the broader SNGRD/DPC emergency response system (extent to which it is integrated and strengthens this system; identification of gaps). Though based primarily on GOAL’s experience as understood through 2 weeks of desk study and 1 week of fieldwork, the report also draws upon documentation of other relevant experiences in Haiti where possible R1: Limit period of EIC service; ensure clear renewal or replacement procedures. R2: Keep members engaged by improving cost-benefit balance to members and ensuring a feasible plan of action. R3: Ensure institutional anchorage and functional responsibility for EIC within the SNGRD. R4: Institute simple and functional M&E system to capture EIC value added for all actors. R5: Improve feedback loops by incorporating use of new technologies and reducing bottlenecks. R6: Operationalize limited EIC awareness raising role by establishing a feasible plan and ensuring capacities for its implementation. R7: Ensure simple EIC action plans that have authentic EIC ownership and are not focused on externally funded mitigation actions. (See also R2 and R6) R8: Prioritize skills-based learning and ensure mechanisms to boost active recall and lasting access to equipment. R9: Facilitate operational coordination by continuing to build horizontal and vertical linkages. R10: Deepen analysis of hazard drivers, of available mitigation options, and of potential secondary effects. R11: Deepen analysis of community-managed micro-mitigation while managing the risks, especially of EIC dependency on externally funded projects