Crisis Toolkit is web-based contingency planning software aimed at improving disaster management. Advanced planning helps to ensure that responses are timely, well coordinated, strategic, and adequate to prevent suffering. In particular, advanced planning makes it possible to launch very rapid preventative interventions that reduce the impacts of hazards.
The toolkit addresses the need for more formal and standardized approaches to contingency planning and funding, and, at the same time, provides a means to shift the focus of resources and interventions from emergency relief toward rapid preventative interventions.
Crisis Toolkit recognises that disaster preparedness, including contingency planning, is a dynamic process requiring regular updates. It must be highly responsive to new early warning information. Too often contingency plans are static documents that are not updated regularly. When disaster strikes the plans are irrelevant and therefore people dont use them. A far better approach is to use software that allows the plans to be updated in real time as conditions evolve.
Contingency plans must be linked to practical responses and real resources. When disaster strikes, the contingency becomes reality and the plan is activated. Crisis Toolkit provides the key linkages between early warning, assessment, intervention planning and resources. It contains tools for financing disaster responses as well as tools for rapid mobilisation of personnel and assets. This reduces the critical time lag that often occurs between a disaster and a response, and helps to reduce the potential full impact of a disaster on affected populations.
The main users of the Crisis Toolkit are Governments, NGOs, private companies, UN agencies, and other humanitarian actors. Disaster management is effective if the many humanitarian organisations plan together and work together. Because it is web-based, Crisis Toolkit allows individuals and organizations to work together as a virtual team to develop contingency plans, design rapid interventions, and manage contingency funds. The software also allows key disaster preparedness information to be shared.