Top Bucks Charity Mapaction to Join Rapid Disaster Response Network

The Buckinghamshire-based charity MapAction is to join a network of experts who can be called on by Government in times of international crisis, such as famine, floods and earthquakes.

The new facility will mobilise life saving support from Britain's best businesses and charities in the critical hours after a disaster strikes.

Supplies, experts and vital aid are too often tied up with paperwork, rather than being deployed straight to the disaster zone, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said.

The new facility allows organisations with experience in disaster response to access funding within hours, thereby reaching affected people faster and saving more lives. It will mean the best organisations from across the UK can be mobilised in the critical first 72 hours following a disaster.

MapAction is one of an initial 34 non-government organisations which specialise in disaster response which has been invited by the UK Government to join the network.

MapAction has the unique role of gathering and distributing vital information to aid agencies on the ground, on frequently updated situation maps.  It has sent its teams to dozens of humanitarian crises, like Haiti earthquake in 2010,the Libyan emergency in 2011 and the Philippines cyclone disaster earlier this year.

Creating a clear picture of humanitarian needs is a vital first step in deploying life saving aid where it is most needed, so it is critical that MapAction is able to get its teams into the field at the onset of a new crisis.

The new Rapid Response Fund will be activated in the event of a large scale crisis. The selected organisations will be approached within two hours and expected to take immediate action.

Andrew Mitchell said:

“Clearly we need our best experts, equipment and aid on the scene as quickly as possible after a disaster, not tied up in red tape. MapAction need to be able to do their job in that vital window of 72 hours, to save as many lives as possible.

“Only the professionals, with relevant skills and equipment will be approved.  By working with a small pool of specialists, we will end the dangerous crush of aid organisations which often pour into a disaster zone.

“These organisations represent the very best performing disaster response agencies. This will allow them to focus on delivery.  Make no mistake, however, qualification for the fund will be revoked at the first sign of poor performance.”

Nigel Woof from MapAction said:

‘‘MapAction needs to get to the disaster zone immediately so we can be the pathfinders for the agencies bringing in life saving relief aid. We’re delighted that the Government is strengthening our ability to fulfil our specialist role in disaster response.’’

Lord Ashdown's review of how Britain responds to humanitarian emergencies said that a pre-qualification process would ensure there was a focus on delivery, not bureaucracy, in the first critical stage of disaster response.

About MapAction
MapAction is a charity that provides life-saving information about disaster situations in the form of maps. It is the only non-governmental organisation (NGO) anywhere in the world with a capacity to deploy a fully trained and equipped humanitarian mapping and information management team, often within a few hours of an alert. Its highly-skilled volunteers play a vital role in helping to coordinate the national and international emergency response by gathering information such as:
• Which communities are in the greatest need?
• What are their priority needs?
• How can aid agencies best reach them?
MapAction’s aim is to help to get aid delivered quickly and effectively to the people who need it most. www.mapaction.org

Contact:
Nigel Woof, CEO MapAction is available for interview on Wednesday 7th March - 01494 568899

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