Flood disasters: Learning from previous relief and recovery responses

This briefing paper provides a synthesis of, and introduction to key lessons from evaluations of relief and recovery/humanitarian response to flooding in the last 20 years from Africa, Asia and the Americas. The paper is intended for people working in relief and recovery operations for floods, i.e. those who have to decide if, when and how to intervene. Selected reading references are mentioned after each of the issues discussed and a listing of key resources and a bibliography of the evaluations used are included at the end of the paper.

The paper covers lessons for the following key topics which may be relevant in various ways and at different times for flood preparedness, relief and recovery:
Lesson 1 - Flood risk reduction
Lesson 2 - Building ownership and engaging with local capacity
Lesson 3 - Needs assessment
Lesson 4 - Targeting and monitoring
Lesson 5 - Livelihoods recovery
Lesson 6 - Local economy and market
Lesson 7 - Water, sanitation and health
Lesson 8 - Shelter and housing
Lesson 9 - Managing nationwide response and coordination