Swiss Emergency Response Team (SERT)


Several Swiss organizations active in Mozambique together with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) decided to join forces to be organized in a way, that we all together have fast and unbureaucratic access for doing the rapid needs assessment together and provide immediate response support where possible in Mozambique. Since 2021, the Swiss Emergency Response Team (SERT) organized several trainings in crisis management, rapid needs assessment and cash/voucher-based approaches for the staff members of the organizations. Doing the crisis management and rapid need assessment together creates synergy and complementarity among partners rather than each partner planning a response at the same place. A coordinated, locally led intervention will also yield the data necessary to justify an appeal to SDC’s emergency fund in time, should it be opportune.

País / Região Tema Período Orçamento
Mozambique
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Material relief assistance
Protection, access & security
16.04.2024 - 31.12.2027
CHF  65’000
Contexto Mozambique is one of the 10 countries most at risk due to its high exposure and due to its high vulnerability and lack of coping as well as adaptive capacities. Rapid onset disasters - mainly cyclones, tropical storms and heavy rains resulting in flash flood and inundations - can affect strongly vulnerable people in all parts of Mozambique. Cyclone Idai in March 2019 in the Central region followed by Cyclone Kenneth in April in the same year in the Northern region illustrated the high vulnerability of the people and infrastructure in Mozambique. More recently, Cyclone Eloise (January 2021), Cyclone Gombe (April 2022) and Cyclone Freddy (February 2023) brought again some destruction.
Displacement and humanitarian needs are ongoing in the northern part of Mozambique where more than 1’000’000 people were displaced at one time by the continued armed conflict.
Regularly the country experiences cholera outbreaks in different parts of the country, most recently in Tete, in Niassa and in Cabo Delgado.
Swiss organisations based in Mozambique strive to offer humanitarian aid when communities are affected, either as emergency aid, recovery, reconstruction and disaster risk reduction. Particularly the time immediately after a major disaster or a massive crisis related event is critical in assessing the needs and setting up the coordination with other related stakeholders (Government, INGOs, United Nations agencies, private sector).
Objectivos Provide a rapid and coordinated locally led disaster assessment and response in Mozambique through the establishment of a local Swiss based crisis management structure and a Swiss Emergency Response Team with members having the capacity to coordinate, implement rapid needs assessments and provide immediate humanitarian action and early response support.
Grupos Alvo
  • SERT member organizations
  • SERT member organisations’ staff
  • Disaster and /or crisis affected children, women and men with a focus on the most vulnerable
Resultados a médio prazo
  1. Outcome 1: Swiss organizations based in Mozambique organize crisis management and respond based on clear terms of reference for its operation;
  2. Outcome 2: SERT Member organizations have trained staff available for rapid needs assessment, coordination with and support to/from other SERT partners;
  3. Outcome 3: SERT learns based on its experiences and experiences of others.
Resultados

Resultados esperados:  

  1. SERT governance structure and operational procedures have been established and the roles and responsibilities of the SERT members outlined.
  2. Staff of the SERT member organizations are trained in aspects relevant to a joint rapid response.
  3. Disaster response activities of Swiss organisations in Mozambique are coordinated and implemented.


Resultados das fases anteriores:  

The project started with an initial phase 2021-2023 organized and implemented by Solidar Suisse with the support of SDC (7F-10892.01 - 4th Objctive for preparedeness).

SERT has strengthened inter-institutional relations, developed a strategic plan which describes the SERT’s organisation and governance. The final plan will be discussed in early 2024 and it is anticipated to be approved then by the SERT Steering Council.


Direcção / Responsável no Departamento Federal SDC
Parceiros do Projecto Parceiro contractual
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Other Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Founding partners: HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, Pestalozzi Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Swisscontact, SolidarSuisse, SolidarMed, Terres de Hommes, Help Code; Other partners: Agua por Agua, Mercy Air, MSF Switzerland, Swiss Mozambique Business Network


Coordenação com outros projectos
  • INGD, Provincial, Municipal or District Governments (of disaster affected areas)
  • Private Sector
  • UN Agencies (UNICEF, WFP, UN Habitat, UNHCR, IOM)
  • Other likeminded INGOs participating in different thematic area - clusters (WASH, Food security and livelihoods, shelter, gender and protection)
Orçamento Fase do projeto em curso Orçamento suíço CHF    65’000 Desembolsos Suíços até à data CHF    277 Total Projeto desde a primeira fase Orçamento suíço CHF   0 Orçamento incluindo parceiros do projecto CHF   65’000
Fases do Projeto Phase 1 16.04.2024 - 31.12.2027   (Fase do projeto em curso)