The organizations in place that are ready to respond when disaster strikes in Zambia are listed here, many first respond with life-saving emergency aid, and then we stay for the long term to help families recover and rebuild. Disaster relief may be provided by the government but is most often the work of international and local charities that have a policy in place. They work with communities helping to stabilize them by providing assistance with temporary shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection activities, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Disaster response has stages that the relief agency has to put in place
Rescue
Relocation
Provision of food and water
Provision emergency health care
Prevention of disease and disability
Repairing vital services e.g. telecommunications, transport
Provision temporary shelter
In all cases, the relief phase of disaster transitions into the recovery phase, when systems are in place and people are no longer worried about survival but can turn to rebuild their lives.
Early recovery - in recovery, the affected population is in a more stable period of transition