Below is another informative article from the latest issue of the International Council on Archives’ Flash Newsletter that I would like to share especially to all my colleagues who safeguard cultural heritage throughout the Pacific Islands and the world. It was written by Emilie Leumas who is the Chair of the Expert Group- Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness.
ICA Establishes Disaster Relief Fund
In 2018, after the devastating hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, fires and floods that wreaked havoc on many archives and cultural heritage institutions, the Expert Group on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness (EMDP) proposed to ICA the creation of an International Disaster Relief Fund for Archives.
Using the Society of American Archivists’ Disaster Relief Fund model, ICA took its first steps towards this endeavor in 2017 by assisting the Caribbean Regional Branch International Council on Archives (CARBICA) in its establishment of a regional fund to aid institutions that suffered during Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria. Along the way, the expert group on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness provided advice, assistance, and training to CARBICA.
EMDP remains focused in its efforts to assist all archival institutions that suffer during disasters both natural and human-made. The ICA Disaster Relief Fund is established to aid in the stabilization and recovery needs of archival institutions affected by catastrophic events.
The fund will:
◗ Provide small grant monies to any repository
that holds archival records or special collections.
Monies may be used for the direct recovery of
damaged or at-risk materials; such services as
freeze drying, storage, transportation of materials,
and rental facilities; supplies, including acid-free
boxes and folders, storage cartons, cleaning
materials, plastic crates, and protective gear;
and to defray the costs for volunteers or other
laborers who assist with the recovery.
◗ Provide advice and assistance, via consultation
with experts, to archive repositories seeking
information about response and recovery;
such as setting up triage areas, drying wet
material, conservation and preservation of
damaged material.
◗ Provide monies to support the deployment
(when the disaster region is deemed safe to
enter) of a group or team of archival experts
to provide hands-on guidance in response
and recovery.
A review committee comprised of at least three representatives from ICA (Chair of PCOM, Chair of Expert Group on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness, Chair of Expert Group on Archives Buildings and Environments or their designates) will review applications and select grant recipients. The committee will score applications based on pre-defined criteria and monies available. Within three months of receiving aid (monies or services), the recipient must submit a report detailing how the aid was used.
To Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund simply click here.
Disaster Preparedness Workshop at the National Archives of Fiji, March 2019
Island Time 