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International medical aid charity Merlin 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.
Merlin 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.
Merlin was founded in 1993 by three people who wanted to respond to the atrocities in Bosnia. From a small start, Merlin has now worked in more than 40 countries, helping when emergencies like the Haiti earthquake strike but also staying on after the media focus has faded. Merlin is currently in 16 countries, including those suffering from conflicts, the aftermath of natural disasters and with a chronic shortages of health workers. By working with ministries of health around the world, Merlin provides vital training to rebuild health systems and help countries become more resilient.
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. Merlin’s health workers 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 Young, Merlin’s Head of Emergencies, said: “Merlin’s record on providing health care in emergencies speaks for itself. When humanitarian disasters have hit the headlines, like the violent conflict in Darfur or the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Merlin has been there to help.
Fragile post-war countries like Iraq and Sierra Leone are considered ‘normal’ for Merlin, which is why it describes itself as “determined and undaunted”. Equally, places where civil unrest or rebel actions create problems for communities are not considered ‘off limits’ for Merlin, provided staff are safe. Examples are Libya, Afghanistan and the Central African Republic.
Creating a secure environment in an insecure setting has become something of a speciality for Merlin over the years. As has dealing with natural disasters. In more recent times we have provided surgery in Haiti, run feeding programmes in the East African drought and are still helping Pakistani communities recover from 2010’s terrible floods. We are pleased that the government has recognised our speed and expertise in getting life saving health care to people when they need it most.”
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.
