New IDS Bulletin 'Poverty in a Changing Climate'

From IDS:

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) has just launched The IDS Bulletin 39.4 'Poverty in a Changing Climate'.

Climate change has become a mainstream development issue. Impacts are threatening poverty eradication efforts and climate change poses rights and equity questions. The latest IDS Bulletin links adaptation with a variety of insights and approaches from poverty and vulnerability to confront these challenges.

'Poverty in a Changing Climate' reframes the adaptation debate and puts forward a pro-poor adaptation agenda that acknowledges the differentiated and multidimensional nature of poverty for effective, efficient and equitable adaptation measures at all scales.

The issue brings together field practitioners, academics, researchers and policy makers who examine the theory and practice of adaptation through a range of poverty lenses.


*The linkages are examined between adaptation and major poverty arenas including chronic poverty, rights and social justice, pro-poor growth, pro-poor urban governance, asset-building and livelihood diversification.


*Practical lessons are drawn from disaster risk management, social protection, micro-finance, climate insurance, climate science and adaptation tools address conceptual and operational challenges for delivering a pro-poor adaptation agenda.

For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/povcca
The introduction chapter is attached to this email. Individual chapters can be requested from Marion Khamis at m.khamis@ids.ac.uk

This bulletin was supported by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and members of the Poverty and Adaptation Seminar Network<http://www.ids.ac.uk/go/research-teams/vulnerability-team/research-themes/climate-change/projects/poverty-and-adaptation-seminar-network> (PASNet).

Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction deadline 18 March 2009

From UNISDR:

Reminder: Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction deadline 18 March 2009

More inclusive: Any member of the ISDR System - such as governments, NGOs, UN Agencies, Academic institutions, private sector groups or media organizations - can now nominate a candidate for the UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction.

Clear focus: The revisioned Sasakawa Award will recognize champions who have achieved real change in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action's strategic goals and priority areas. As well as recognizeing community-based work and leadership in scientific and technical innovation, the Award also seeks to recognize advocacy that has raised the public profile of disaster risk reduction.

Deadline is near: Nominees must submit their letter of nomination and completed applications to UNISDR by 18 March 2009.

The Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction will be awarded during the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, to be held in Geneva 15-19 June 2009. More submission and eligibility details are here: http://www.unisdr.org/sasakawa2009. Please send all submissions to isdr-sasakawa@un.org

ISDR Global NGO Network Publicatiom

This summer, the second publication of the 'Global network of NGOs for DRR' was launched. The first pub is available here. It's definitely worth a look to gain more information on initiatives which link disasters, development and particularly poverty reduction.

Katrina revisited

A posted response by Ilan Kelman this summer in the NGOFL-L emails on Katrina offers some interesting insights on standard challenges of relief operations.
Ilan's response is copied from the email here:

CNN Report - Supplies for Katrina Victims

The original report appears to have been basically factual, but does not tell the entire story. See other details at http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/15/fema.katrina.supplies and http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/06/17/fema.supplies/index.html?iref=newssearch plus links from those pages to other items on this story--keeping in mind that these reports are still from CNN. However, I could not find any note of this incident on FEMA's website which could have given their side of the story.

The issues raised here are standard challenges of relief operations, which all NGOs need to be aware of, including:
-Inappropriate donations. See also http://oldforum.aidworkers.net/messages/261/10682.html?1110989783
-Corruption in relief operations.
-Inefficiency in relief operations--getting people what they need when they need it.
-The logistics challenges of bringing in, checking, and distributing appropriate and needed supplies. Perhaps PAHO's SUMA tool http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PED/suma.htm and http://www.paho.org/english/dd/pin/ptoday17_nov05.htm is useful?

We must never become complacent regarding relief operations, because especially as you note, despite its resources, transportation infrastructure, and experience with domestic and overseas disasters, the USA ought to be setting a better example. The task is not easy and does require training, planning, and dedication. As you write, it "Teaches us that emergency managers need to be, above all, humanitarians". With best wishes to everyone for continually trying to do better,

Ilan
http://www.riskred.org (Risk Reduction Education for Disasters)

Publication: Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Reduction

A new publication on Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Reduction is available from ISDR. As they write:
"Even before we came up with high technology based early warning
systems, or standard operating procedures for response, numerous
local communities worldwide have prepared, operated, acted, and
responded to natural disasters using indigenous methods passed on
from one generation to the next.

The publication "Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Reduction:
Good Practices and Lessons Learned from experiences in the Asia-
pacific Region", produced with the assistance of the European Union,
aims to build awareness for indigenous knowledge as an effective tool
for reducing risk from natural disasters. By improving the
understanding of indigenous knowledge and providing concrete
examples of how it can be successfully used, this publication can help
all practitioners and policy makers to consider the knowledge hold by
local communities and act to integrate this wealth of knowledge into
future disaster-related work. "

The publication is available on their website here.

Subscribing to UNISDR HIghlights

ISDR's monthly highlights newsletter outlines activity announcements in the field of DRR. You can subscribe, send inputs, or just get information on this publication by contacting: isdrhighlights@un.org

Job openings at IDS: Climate Change and Disasters Group

Research Positions: IDS Climate Change and Disasters Group
Full time positions

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a leading global institution for research, teaching and communications on international development, based at the University of Sussex.

We have a number of opportunities in the Climate Change and Disasters Group, representing a major expansion of the Institute's research on climate change.

* Research Fellows - Climate Change and Development (Grade 7-8: depending on experience) Ref 268.
* Research Fellows - Vulnerability and Poverty Reduction Team (Climate Change and Social Protection) (Grade 7-8: depending on experience) Ref 265.
* Knowledge Sharing Officer - Adaptation Knowledge Sharing in Africa (Grade 6: depending on experience) Ref 267.
* Research Officer - Children in a Changing Climate (Grade 6: depending on experience). Ref 269
* Research Officer - Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (Grade 6: depending on experience). Ref 270.

The Group currently focuses on five thematic areas: International climate policy, pro-poor climate and disaster governance, climate change and social exclusion, organisational change and climate change knowledge services. The Group is engaged in a range of activities including policy-related research, advisory work, capacity-building, networking and developing innovative and accessible knowledge services.

Candidates with experience in linking work in climate change and social protection are particularly encouraged to apply for the research fellow posts within the Vulnerability and Poverty Reduction Team.

For all the positions, you will need to be flexible, willing to travel and able to manage a complex portfolio of projects with sometimes-conflicting priorities and deadlines. You will need to be both a team player and able to work independently, with excellent communication skills.

IDS offers attractive salaries, favourable holiday allowance, a flexible working ethos and membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. The post is based in Brighton, Sussex.

OFFICIAL APPLICATIONS FORMS ONLY, CVs are not accepted

For further information and to download an application form please log on to
http://www.ids.ac.uk/go/about-ids/working-at-ids/current-vacancies

Alternatively to receive an electronic or hard copy please email Human Resources, hr@ids.ac.uk or call our confidential answer phone
01273-678682 [Int +44 1273-678682]

IDS values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities; applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates who meet the stated criteria.