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Beyond the Rubble

Sudden onset disasters of a scale requiring a response from USAR teams will inevitably result in mid and long term impacts to the community. By their nature USAR teams often have knowledge skills and experience that can be of assistance to the impacted community beyond SAR.

This is referred to as “Beyond the Rubble” assistance. The term “Beyond the Rubble” refers to USAR teams using existing capabilities to provide limited further assistance to the community. In this transition phase from USAR to early recovery/relief phase, deployed USAR teams can support the LEMA using their existing capabilities, expertise and operational awareness of the situation, to smoothen the transition from the response to recovery phase of the operation and to facilitate consistent support to the victims.

Background​

“Beyond the Rubble” are activities offered/conducted by USAR teams deployed after an earthquake or other sudden onset disaster to overcome the transitional phase between the USAR and the early recovery/relief phase.

These tasks are driven by the needs of the community as identified by the LEMA. USAR teams should not commence any activities without a request from or approval of the LEMA. All activities are to have clearly defined goals, as determined by the LEMA and an end time commensurate with the demobilisation time of the team. Teams, when offering this assistance should consider to be able to perform them with the same level of professionalism like their main task.

If it is determined, in consultation with the UCC/SCC/RDC and LEMA, that team capabilities are required beyond the demobilisation time of the original deployment this should be considered as a humanitarian and not an additional USAR response.

The following capabilities of USAR teams, could be of benefit:

  • Management, coordination and communication support to the LEMA and/or UN coordination mechanism
  • Assessment
  • Logistical support
  • Technical support including structural engineering
  • Health- and medical-support, coordinated through organisations such as WHO EMT or Health Cluster

It is noted that “Beyond the Rubble” activities are voluntary and will be determined by the existing capabilities and capacities of the deployed USAR team. It is not expected that “Beyond the Rubble” activities will be done by all USAR teams. Teams are not forced to structure their organisation to meet the anticipated extended capabilities. “Beyond the Rubble” activities are not assessed during the IEC/R process.

It is advantageous if USAR teams can declare their “Beyond the Rubble” capabilities on the VOSOCC prior to an international deployment.