4.5 Boilerplate emergency statement for rapid-onset emergencies
When disaster strikes in a country where CARE works, CARE’s communications and fundraising teams should be fast and nimble in customizing a statement about CARE’s response for use on CI member websites and with media. Ideally we will get information/approval from the CO in the affected country and we will make every effort to contact the CO, but this is not always possible. Because every minute we wait can mean thousands of dollars in lost support for those in need, it is critical to simply let the donating public and journalists know that we have a presence in the country and are monitoring the situation, even if that’s all we know. Below are boilerplate (standard text) emergency statements that can be quickly customized for two distinct types (natural and manmade) of sudden-onset, high-profile disasters. The statement should be issued as soon as possible: ideally within one-two hours of the disaster. When posted on websites, the statements may be accompanied by “donate” buttons and legally vetted language (based on local laws) such as “Please make a tax-deductible gift today to help us rush lifesaving aid to COUNTRY and better prepare us to carry out our critical, poverty-fighting work in the world’s poorest countries.”
Approvals for the boilerplate emergency statement:
- Approval is required by the CI Humanitarian Director (or designate, i.e. a senior staff member from CEG or the Communications Office in Charge). Approval from the CO is only required if the statement includes specific information about CARE’s actual or planned response. No additional sign-off is required for sensitive countries.
Where to find information for the statement:
- Date of CO opening: in the CO fact sheets here.
- List of programs in a CO: in the PIIRS program database here.
- Basic info about the disaster: media reports or UN OCHA sitreps/alerts available on ReliefWeb.
- Details about CARE’s planned response: the CO or the CO Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP); however, in many emergencies, this information will not be available at this time so this will not be part of the initial statement.
- Details about CARE’s past responses: in the Emergency database here.
Natural disaster boilerplate emergency statement
DESCRIBE DISASTER BASICS HERE. CARE’s humanitarian workers on the ground in COUNTRY are on high alert and are assessing the situation. ADD ANY DETAILS OF CARE’s RESPONSE OR PLANNED RESPONSE IF KNOWN. Initial media reports are that DESCRIBE MORE DETAILS OF SITUATION AS REPORTED BY MEDIA, ADDING ANY DETAIL AVAILABLE FROM CARE STAFF ON THE GROUND IF THEY ARE REACHABLE. CARE has worked in COUNTRY since YEAR, providing LIST PROGRAMS HERE and emergency relief when disaster strikes. CARE’s past responses in COUNTRY have included DISASTER in YEAR and DISASTER in YEAR.
CARE’s emergency response teams specialize in providing life-saving food, water, shelter and health care. CARE has more than six decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE, which works in 84 countries around the world, places a special focus on women, children and other vulnerable populations, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. In 2012, our emergency response and recovery projects reached nearly 14 million people in 40 countries.
Manmade disaster boilerplate emergency statement
DESCRIBE DISASTER BASICS HERE. CARE’s humanitarian workers on the ground in COUNTRY are on high alert and are assessing the situation. ADD ANY DETAILS OF CARE’s RESPONSE OR PLANNED RESPONSE IF KNOWN. Initial media reports are that DESCRIBE MORE DETAILS OF SITUATION AS REPORTED BY MEDIA, ADDING ANY DETAIL AVAILABLE FROM CARE STAFF ON THE GROUND IF THEY ARE REACHABLE. CARE has worked in COUNTRY since YEAR, providing LIST PROGRAMS HERE and emergency relief when disaster strikes. CARE’s past responses in COUNTRY have included DISASTER in YEAR and DISASTER in YEAR.
CARE’s emergency response teams specialize in providing life-saving food, water, shelter and health care. CARE is a nongovernmental, nonpartisan humanitarian organization that does not take sides in conflicts. Our mission is to provide relief to those most affected by disaster regardless of religion, political affiliation or other allegiance. CARE, which works in 84 countries around the world, places a special focus on women, children and other vulnerable populations. In 2012, our emergency response and recovery projects reached nearly 14 million people in 40 countries.
| Example boilerplate emergency statement: Haiti 2010 |
| A powerful earthquake has struck near Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti. Early reports indicate many people have been killed and buildings across the city have collapsed. CARE’s humanitarian workers on the ground in Haiti are on high alert and are assessing the situation. The scale of the disaster remains unclear, as CARE struggles to reach its staff and partners in Haiti. The quake was a magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale and initial reports indicate a major catastrophe. CARE has worked in Haiti since 1954, and helps communities with programs in HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, maternal and child health, education, food security, water and sanitation and emergency relief when disaster strikes. CARE’s emergency response teams specialize in providing life-saving food, water, shelter and health care. CARE has more than six decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE, which works in 84 countries around the world, places a special focus on women, children and other vulnerable populations, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. In 2012, our emergency response and recovery projects reached nearly 14 million people in 40 countries. |
