Earthquakes - essential lessons for humanitarian responders

Summary

This essential briefing is a summary of the ALNAP Lessons Paper: Responding to Earthquakes published in February 2019. In fragile or developing states, large earthquakes can turn back the development clock by years or even decades. It is impossible to eradicate earthquakes, but we can prepare and learn from past experiences to strengthen the humanitarian response and to ‘build back better’.

These essential lessons draw from previous post-earthquake humanitarian responses, covering: debris management, shelter, health, livelihoods and economic recovery, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, food security, nutrition and protection.