| Review of: | Extreme Emergencies. Humanitarian Assistance to Civilian Populations following Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Incidents - A Sourcebook by Anthea Sanyasi |
|---|---|
| Reviewed By: | Bastien Affeltranger |
| Reviewed in: | Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management |
| Date accepted online: | 02/11/2007 |
| Published in print: | Volume 15, Issue 03, Pages 168-170 |
Book Reviews
The operational landscape of humanitarian assistance organisations has changed. It requires an adaptation of humanitarian practice(s) for field intervention. This book is a most welcome contribution to this seemingly unavoidable change.
Historically, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been major contributors to relief intervention following natural disasters, epidemics and famine. A long history of cases and emergencies depicts this usual profile of humanitarian assistance. However, these organisations are now increasingly involved
As a matter of fact, the technical profile of these conflicts and emergencies has also changed, as new threats have appeared. Certainly, the end of the Cold War - that some found analytically useful to describe as a Manichean, bipolar confrontation - has left the world with an increasingly complex landscape of crises, conflicts, and socio-technical emergencies. In short, the risks posed to human security seem to have become less and less understandable - or better,
New threats have appeared. In particular chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents (CBRNE) - both accidental and intentional - now threaten humanitarian assistance organisations and staff. In addition, there should be considered the ongoing trend of revised patterns for terrorist action, including the use of non-conventional weapons or substances - such as biowarfare and radioactive "dirty" bombs. In other words, civil populations are now plagued with new threats that also jeopardize the safety of players involved in humanitarian assistance. Consequently, and as sources and forms of risks evolve, so should change as well the protocols, methods and tools of humanitarian activity. In that sense, this sourcebook comes at the right time.
This CBRNE sourcebook is for international NGOs providing humanitarian assistance in the middle- and low-income countries. The sourcebook provides a generic guide for mitigation and humanitarian response to CBRNE-affected populations. It also provides NGOs with knowledge and tools for reducing the exposure and vulnerability of their field staff to potential CBRNE threats. Reading this sourcebook, it becomes obvious that it has captured the rich experience of several resource people and organisations involved in humanitarian assistance - and with a knowledge of CBRNE issues. Such lessons learned in exercise should be praised.
New types of civil and militarity threats to human security, including terrorist acts, are not the only trends making this sourcebook extremely valuable to its reader. Indeed, as global warming and related climate change feature new patterns of hydro-meteorological hazards - in terms of intensity, frequency, and geographic distribution - the probability of natural-technological interactions (NATECHs) also increases. For instance, flooding of industrial facilities has been known for having a potential of hazardous material release - some of which are present in the CBRNE list of substances. In that sense, disseminating information on CBRNE events will certainly improve the preparedness of humanitarian organizations to managing NATECH incidents and emergencies.
Considering that an NGO's policy on involvement in life-threatening situations - possibly featuring CBRNE risks - will be influenced by its mandate, technical competence and priority objectives, this sourcebook addresses the various dimensions of NGO activity and field intervention. Part I, on Managing the Crisis, covers five chapters. These address the following issues: Strategic management; Tactical management; Field staff safety; Operational management; Psychosocial support. Part II provides systematic information on CBRNE hazards. Part III provides resources (indicators, characteristics, list of measures, etc.) for appropriate response to CBRNE events. This last part is usefully organised in the form of topical annexes, some with very technical contents.
A distinct feature is that this book makes useful connections between 'conventional' features of humanitarian assistance, so that already existing 'know-how' can be capitalised to serve in CBRNE incident contexts. As the author indicates: 'for disaster relief organizations, principles of risk management for response to chemical or biological incidents will overlap with operating procedures for natural and other man-made disasters and emergencies' (page 5). For instance, an attack with a chemical agent would require a similar response to a major hazardous accident. Management of a large-scale disease outbreak, whether of natural or intentional origin, would need the same type of public health response. As international organisations involved in disaster relief and related activities often intervene in resource-poor countries, this sourcebook also provides tips for assessing the humanitarian response capacity of a given host environment - social, technical, or institutional.
Possibly, however, an additional section on CBRNE-prone countries or areas might have proven useful to the reader. Beside this geopolitical input, there might have been added some tips for assessing the exposure and vulnerability of humanitarian staff. As a matter of relevance over time, this book provides Internet resources that can be useful to keep track of new knowledge and practice in the field of CBRNE risks and incidents.
A newcomer in the editorial landscape of humanitarian assistance literature, this book can be considered as a handy toolkit containing basic technical information and recommendations in the field of CBRNE incidents - for preparedness, mitigation and response. It can be highly appreciated that these resources are presented in a systematic way, and in an easily readable format. Certainly, this sourcebook should be recommended as a contribution to both academic and professional curricula or training programmes. It is a must-read for humanitarian staff - both operational and management - considering involvment in, or missions to CBRNE-prone countries or areas.