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Welcome to CADRIM’s Research Hub

 

​CADRIM is actively working towards the development of evidence based data and research that can inform leadership and help bridge gaps in future projects and programmes being implemented by the IFRC and National Societies through the integration of lessons learnt and best practices. We invite you to take a closer look at some of the exciting research initiatives being undertaken and welcome collaborations.

To find out how your National Society can contribute to our Research Hub:

Increasing community resilience using the Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment Tool

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Research Question:
How does conducting an eVCA increases a community’s ability to cope with disasters?

Research Rationale

According to the IFRC, “the Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA)” is a participatory process developed for communities to become more resilient through the assessment and analysis of the risks they face and the identification of actions to reduce these risks. The Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity (eVCA) has been successfully implemented regionally by various National Societies and is considered to be an important process to helping communities to also take ownership of the actions needed to increase their capacity to cope and decrease their risks and vulnerabilities. The eVCA also allows vulnerable communities to build their resilience under the guidance from various stakeholders.

Countries Targeted: Belize, Jamaica and Suriname

This case study looks at the following:

  • Different methods of communication which allows for the exchange of needed information.

  • Identify challenges faced with engaging communities.

  • Understand the role of Community Disaster Response Team (CDRT) members and volunteers in the eVCA process.

  • Identify the main stakeholders needed to ensure the success of the eVCA.

  • Understand now eVCAs can be used to help communities decreases their disaster risks and vulnerabilities through microprojects.

Integrating Persons with Disabilities in CDRT/CERT Training

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Research Question:
How can National Societies better include persons with disabilities in CDRT/CERT trainings?

Research Rationale

Persons with disabilities and other persons within vulnerable groups, can be disproportionately impacted by disasters and can therefore be more negatively impacted by disasters. The IFRC fully endorses the inclusion and the active participation of persons within vulnerable and marginalized groups in all community discussions and trainings. A great regional example of this is a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training conducted by the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS) with persons with hearing impairments.

Countries Targeted: Trinidad and Tobago

This case study focuses on the training conducted by the TTRCS and consider the following:

  • Did the training lead to better disaster preparedness in the participants?

  • Are participants a member of a CERT or in what ways do participants feel comfortable in helping their communities in times of disasters?

  • Understand how national societies can better engage with persons with disabilities.

Volunteering in a Multi-hazard Environment

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Research Question:
How to sustain volunteer motivation in a multi-hazard environment?

Research Rationale

St Vincent and the Grenadines is prone to a wide range of natural hazards which include hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, droughts and landslides. In 2021, the National Society and their volunteers were asked to bolster the national disaster management system before and after the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano. Staff and volunteers were placed on the frontline again after the passing of Hurricane Lisa in 2022. Both these responses were needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to understand how national societies can provide national assistance while also ensuring the welfare of their volunteers in a multi-hazard environment.

Countries Targeted: St Vincent & the Grenadines

Co Authored by: St Vincent & the Grenadines Red Cross

This research takes a deeper look at the following:

  • Understanding the perceptions of volunteer safety and how these perceptions can be addressed in a multi-hazard environment.

  • Understanding the challenges faced by volunteers.

  • Understanding the actions needed to mitigate the level of burn-out among volunteers in a multi-hazard environment.

  • Make recommendations on how to sustain volunteer well-being and motivation in a multi-hazard environment.

  • How can CDRT mobilization improve?

The Impact of COVID-19 on Volunteerism in the Caribbean 

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Research Question:
How has COVID-19 impacted the way in which the National Societies interact and manage volunteers in Suriname and St. Vincent and the Grenadines?

Research Rationale

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the largest volunteer-based humanitarian organisation in existence, comprising of National Societies in 192 countries with approximately 14 million volunteers. The IFRC and Red Cross staff work together with volunteers in their disaster response, early recovery programmes to build back better and cultivate safer communities by working directly with community members to reduce their risks and vulnerabilities and enhance their capacity to cope before, during and after disasters. In December 2019, the world first learned of COVID-19; an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus originating in China. The first COVID-19 case was reported in the Caribbean in March 2020 and as of 8th March, 2023, there has been over 4 million COVID-19 cases with over 37, 000 deaths in the Caribbean.

Countries Targeted: St Vincent & the Grenadines and Suriname

This case study considers the impacts of COVID-19 on volunteerism in the target countries and answers the following questions:

  • How has the pandemic affected the National Societies’ volunteering policies?

  • Were there any changes in the ways in which the National Societies engaged with their volunteers?

  • What changes did the National Societies make to ensure the safety of their volunteers?

  • What motivated persons to volunteer during the pandemic?

  • What reward systems are in place for volunteers?

Community Early Warning System Assessment

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Research Question:
What types of Early Warning Systems exists within the 13 National Societies within the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean?

Research Rationale

Climate change, lack of proper urban planning, increased urbanization, and increases in population are some of the key drivers of vulnerability in the Caribbean region. These factors contribute to the region being prone to a multitude of hazards including, but not limited to, hydrometeorological (hurricanes and drought), seismic (earthquakes) and biological (vector borne diseases such as dengue and zika). The IFRC and the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) encourages the establishment of early warning systems as a means to enhance national and community disaster resilience. The various national societies within the region participated and implemented EWS projects in their respective countries.

Countries Targeted: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana

Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

This assessment captured the following:

  • Work done by the national societies in the development of community early warning systems (CEWS).

  • The names of communities that has an EWS and the types of EWS.

  • The national early warning systems (NEWS) in each country.

  • The challenges faced and the best practices learnt when developing CEWS.

Community Disaster Response Teams Mobilisation

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Research Question:
How do Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRTs) mobilize during a disaster response?

Research Rationale

Persons receiving CDRT training are expected to establish response teams within their communities and assist their local red cross society and/or their local disaster organization before, during and after a disaster. CDRTs are also expected to develop a CDRT plan which includes using effective methods of communicating disaster alerts and warning messages. CDRTs are after all meant to help their communities until assistance can be obtained from emergency personnel or work with disaster response agencies to provide assistance to their impacted communities.

Countries Targeted: Belize

This case study focuses on CDRT mobilization during the response of Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Belize and provides answers to the following questions:

  • Are there formal community response teams established in vulnerable communities after CDRT training are conducted?

  • Which organisations work with CDRTs and do any of these organizations activities CDRTs?

  • Were there any cases of CDRTs self-activating in response to Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Belize?

  • What communication methods work best for CDRTs to relay and receive emergency messages or alerts within the team and their communities?

  • How can CDRT mobilization improve?

Effectiveness of Community Disaster Response Teams 

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Research Question:
Is the CDRT approach towards community resiliency effective in all phases of the Disaster Management Cycle?

Research Rationale

Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRTs) comprise of community volunteers trained in different elements of disaster risk reduction, thereby enhancing their skills and competencies to prepare for and respond to various emergencies.

Countries Targeted: St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Suriname, Belize, St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica

This research seeks to provide answers to the following questions:

  • Are currently being used and if they being used effectively?

  • What are the intended roles of CDRTs in each phase of the disaster management cycle vs their current roles in the different phases?

  • What are some of the lessons learnt in keeping CDRTs engaged?

To learn more about our upcoming research initiatives.

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