SOLLIMS Sampler Volume 8 Issue 2 | Page 18

Implications. If humanitarian actors involved in disaster response (such as the HN, UN, U.S. Government, military, civil society, international agencies, etc.) do not perform a gender analysis before beginning operations, they may miss important gender disaggregated data concerning which populations are most at risk and may subsequently not provide aid to those most vulnerable. If women are not consulted and included in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief efforts, rescue attempts, and temporary shelter design, then their needs may not be met and they may be more vulnerable to sexual violence. “If humanitarian interventions are not planned with gender dynamics in mind, the needs of those most under threat may not be adequately met, and an opportunity to support positive change will be lost. That is why gender equality is central to humanitarian action,” (Oxfam (2013), p. 1). “As long as women are excluded from effective engagement at such levels, gender inequities will be persistent, and countries will not recover as quickly from both the major and chronic economic shocks that disasters and climate change impacts engender,” (“Disaster Risk Management,” p. 13). If women are consulted and included in leadership for disaster efforts, however, disaster relief will more holistically address the needs of the entire community and ensure access of benefits to women. Event Description. This lesson is based on information from the following sources:        “The tsunami’s impact on women,” Oxfam Briefing Note, (March 2005). “Gender Issues in Conflict and Humanitarian Action,” Oxfam Humanitarian Policy Notes (November 2013). “The Gendered Nature of Natural Disasters: The Impact of Catastrophic Events on the Gender Gap in Life Expectancy, 1981-2002,” by Eric Neumayer & Thomas Plumper – Annals of the Association of American Geographers, (2007). “Building Resilience, Transforming the Future: The Role of Women in Disaster Risk Reduction,” by Vanessa Thevathasan, Aid & International Development Forum, (15 May 2015). “Gender,” United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). “Disaster Risk Management: A Gender-Sensitive Approach Is a Smart Approach,” by: E. Ferris, C. Stark & D. Petz – Ch. 4, The Year of Recurring Disasters: A Review of Natural Disasters in 2012 (2013). “Towards the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (HFA2): Women as a force in resilience building, gender equality in disaster risk reduction” – A Background Paper on gender inclusion in HFA2, (April 2014). For more information on the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake & Tsunami:   “Japan Earthquake & Tsunami of 2011: Facts and Information,” by B. Oskin, (7 May 2015). “Japan quake took toll on women and elderly,” by Brigitte Leoni, UNISDR, (12 March 2012). Additional Comments. Several U.S. military handbooks and guides pertaining to Foreign Humanitarian Assistance (FHA), including the Civil Affairs FHA Planning Guide from HQDA (August 2009), Disaster Response Staff Officer’s Handbook (December 2010), and DOD Support to Foreign Disaster Relief (Handbook for JTF Commanders and Below) (July 2011) do not focus on gender considerations in a disaster. With no additional detail or emphasis, the integration of gender considerations in HA/DR operations risks not being fully operationalized. Lesson Author: Ms. Katrina Gehman, Lessons Learned Analyst (Ctr), PKSOI Table of Contents | Quick Look | Contact PKSOI Page 17 of 34