Relief versus Development

Definitions, Measurement, and Impact

Relief represents a set of activities that are a key part of disaster response, both for those events resulting from natural hazards and from conflict. Relief entails the set of emergency services or public assistance aiming to save lives (search and rescue, first aid); ensure public safety; reduce further health risks; and meet the most pressing needs of the affected. Support such as the emergency supply of shelter and water, components of response, often extend into the recovery (rehabilitation and reconstruction) phase.

Sustainable development can be defined in many ways, most of which relate to maintaining economic growth without hindering the quality of the environment. Development is often considered to be synonymous both with risk reduction and poverty alleviation. The United Nations (UN) qualifies the term to signify development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Local perceptions and priorities must be taken into account in a participative way to ensure that development is sustainable.

Development is typically measured by statistical indices such as life expectancy, literacy, or per capita income (GDP). Considered key factors of international relations, nations are classified by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other agencies using the following often-disputed terms: developed countries, newly industrialized country (NIC), less developed countries (LDC), developing countries, big emerging markets (BEM), and failed states. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established in 2001 by the UN Convention and adopted by 189 nations to monitor global progress toward sustainable development worldwide.

Level of development historically dictates the need for disaster relief. The vast majority of deaths to disasters over the past 30 years have occurred in lower- or lower-middle-income countries. This is in stark contrast to costs of damage incurred by disasters, which occurs predominately in high-income countries. While disasters take a greater toll on human lives in developing countries, they incur more economic damage in developed nations.

Relationship between Relief and Development

The two ends of the relief-to-development continuum have very different characteristics. Relief operators are action-oriented, working swiftly to save lives. Development, on the contrary, is a long-term process that requires persistence and efforts at multiple levels (for instance, policy and community outreach) aiming for fundamental change among societies. Although it is rare for an individual to work both in the humanitarian and the development sectors simultaneously, the lines between the two efforts have become vague. Development workers regularly respond to disasters among the communities they serve, and humanitarian agents increasingly recognize the importance of reducing risk while engaging in relief or response operations.

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