Recovery Guidance - Humanitarian Aspects
Commemoration
Background and Context
Commemoration, whether it be a one-off event such as a memorial service or
anniversary event, or a more permanent physical memorial to remember an
event or those affected by it, is an important part of the recovery
process. Commemoration gives an emergency recognition and can aid those
affected as part of the moving on process, particularly when those affected
are able to be involved in the planning.
Individuals and communities affected in an emergency will commemorate their
loss in a way which is appropriate to them. However, the involvement of a
separate agency might be necessary in order to facilitate any commemoration
ceremonies which draw together everyone who has been affected. Where
commemoration events are planned by responding agencies, the views and
wishes of those directly affected should actively be sought in the planning
process. In her Literature
Review, Anne Eyre considers the importance of commemoration, and
outlines some principles which may be helpful for responders.
Memorial Events
Memorial events may take place at the disaster sites; within local
communities; or at a national level and often occur some time after the
initial aftermath for a number of reasons. Events might also be arranged
around the time of anniversaries.
For those involved in preparing these, great care should be taken to ensure
communications are sensitively planned and managed. Consideration should be
given to the following issues:
-
Identifying the right time, date and location - these decisions should be
taken with care to ensure inclusiveness wherever possible. For
example, the date chosen may be significant to the situation, and should
probably not have any other (such as religious) significance.
-
Cultural and religious considerations - the venue and content of any
event may or may not involve a religious element.
-
Identifying guests and drawing up invitation lists - it is extremely
important that the invitation process is transparent and if possible,
inclusive of all bereaved families, and possibly others affected. An
awareness of the sensitivities and needs of groups of people affected in
different ways by the emergency (whether through bereavement, direct
experience, in a responding capacity, or whether part of a community more
broadly affected) will be important to enable sensitive planning - for
example, in relation to how people are invited and where people are
seated.
-
Involving those affected in planning - for example, through shaping the
content of the event; participation in an act of remembrance; or through
suggestions for readings.
-
Recognition of those who may have died - this might include reading names
out as part of the service.
-
Inviting VIPs and local or national dignitaries - whilst some people
might feel that VIPs bring recognition to an event, others may prefer to
keep invitations to a minimum. Decisions should be taken on an informed
basis and according to the objective of the event.
-
Catering and other logistical arrangements, such as plans stating whether
guests will be recompensed for travel expenses.
-
Security and access considerations - tickets can help control access, and
create appropriate seating plans. Parking should be made available.
A police presence might be desirable.
-
The presence on the day of people who can work with the media and protect
people from any unwanted interest.
Spontaneous Memorials
Experience has shown that spontaneous memorials, including tributes such as
flowers, teddy bears, and cards, often spring up around sites associated
with the tragedy. Responding agencies should plan for this, and be
aware of the symbolic importance and emotion that will be attached to the
management of such tributes. Voluntary agencies are often able to assist in
this regard, and a number have useful experience to offer.
For example, a number of measures were adopted after 7 July to manage the
many tributes left across London. A couple of weeks after the bombings,
flowers left at Liverpool Street station were moved to the London Memorial
Garden at Victoria Embankment Gardens; those which had withered were
composted and returned to London's green spaces. The written tributes,
such as cards, were kept by London Underground. The general public were
kept informed of these activities through public statements and signs
erected in the localities. This involved multi-agency planning, and
assistance from a number of voluntary agencies.
After the death of Princess Diana in 1997, The Royal Parks and Gardens
managed the floral tributes left by members of the public both in the Mall
and in Green Park, St James’ Park and Kensington Gardens. The flowers were
mulched and added to the Royal Parks. The voluntary sector assisted, for
example, by helping to move the flowers and sorting them from the written
tributes and cards, all of which were put with the memorial books kept at
St James’ Palace. Toys were distributed to hospitals and children’s’
facilities.
Permanent Memorials
The creation of a permanent memorial will often require management by the
local authority, which is likely to become involved in a number of ways,
including in terms of its planning functions.
Key considerations in planning may involve:
-
Establishing a project structure which incorporates a mechanism for
involving those directly affected in the emergency.
-
Identifying funding at an early stage.
-
Producing a communications plan, and drawing upon media expertise.
-
Considering and planning procurement options.
-
Conducting appropriate stakeholder consultation.
-
Managing applications for planning permission.
-
Deciding on a design.
-
Planning for an opening ceremony.
In the past, Government has been involved in arranging National Memorial
Services for some large emergencies such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami on 26
December 2004, when over 150 Britons died, and the London bombings on 7
July 2005, when 52 people were killed. The Government has also contributed
towards some permanent memorials, including to those who died in the US
attacks on 11 September 2001, and to those who died in the Bali bombings in
2002.
Policy and Guidance
England
In August 2006, DCMS published an independent Literature
Review which looks at the needs of people affected by emergencies over
the past forty years and offers some practical recommendations about how
responders can best plan for a humanitarian response to any future
emergencies:
The Highways Agency does not support spontaneous memorials (ie. walls of
flowers) on their network for obvious safety reasons, not only to the
travelling public but for those that may want to stop on the network. Local
Authorities may take a different approach but clearly it is a sensitive
subject and should be treated as such.
Wales
[TBC]
Scotland
[TBC]
Northern Ireland
[TBC]
Roles and Responsibilities
Local and Regional
Local responders should be aware of the importance of recognition and
commemoration to those affected. Regional and local partners should work
with affected families and individuals as well as other relevant
organisations including community groups, the voluntary sector, and faith
communities.
Lead Government Department
Central Government does not have a specific responsibility to commemorate
any emergencies, other than its traditional recognition of Remembrance
Sunday each November and no single department has responsibility for
memorials. However, the Minister for Humanitarian Assistance in the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would lead within Government
in respect to any involvement in the development of a permanent memorial to
those affected in an emergency.
Devolved Administrations
Wales
[TBC]
Scotland
[TBC]
Northern Ireland
[TBC]
Funding
In the past, a number of memorials have relied upon a mixed funding model,
including various sources such as private sector contribution, personal
donations, local government contribution, and central funding from a number
of Government Departments.
Devolved Administrations
Wales
[TBC]
Scotland
[TBC]
Northern Ireland
[TBC]
Links to Other Topic Sheets
Community engagement
Mass fatalities
Financial impact on Local Authorities
Working with the Media
VIP visits and involvement
Case Studies (Incidents and Exercises)
The Aberfan Disaster, 21 October 1966
Other Documents
Literature
and best practice review – identifying people’s needs in major
emergencies and best practice in humanitarian response, Dr Anne Eyre for
DCMS, August 2006
Humanitarian
Assistance in the UK: Current Capability and the Development of Best
Practice, Dr Anne Eyre, Viv Brunsden & Jamie Murphy for DCMS, October
2007
List of Contacts
Humanitarian Assistance Unit
Department for Culture Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
Tel: 020 7211 6200
