Master of disaster
On the job with Martin Bjerregaard Name: Martin BjerregaardAge: 35 yearsJob: Project Manager, Golder AssociatesLocation: Chelmsford, UK Martin Bjerregaard has been a consultant, contractor and researcher in disaster waste management since the early 1990s, implementing projects following natural disasters and conflicts in the Balkans, Africa, Asia and the US. Working for Golder Associates (UK) Ltd, he regularly provides support to international donors - such as the World Bank, the EU and leading UN agencies - as well as international NGOs on disaster waste issues. Having recently co-authored the UN Disaster Waste Management Plan, he is currently spearheading the launch of a new international NGO on disaster waste management. WMW: What is the name of your new NGO and what is its remit? The name is ‘Disaster Waste Recovery’. Its goal is to provide timely solid waste management and environmental protection support to communities affected by emergencies, including natural disasters and following cessation of conflicts. WMW: As the driving force behind this initiative, clearly you feel strongly on this issue ... Yes. For more than five years I have been increasingly frustrated by the lack of attention and professionalism when dealing with solid wastes generated by or resulting from disasters. To date I have worked primarily in an advisory capacity, providing support and guidance to those who have taken on responsibility for dealing with disaster wastes. During a three-year spell in Kosovo (2000-2003), I established a local operational NGO for demolition and recycling of wastes which was a success. On the back of this, I am now focusing more on the operational side of disaster waste management and thus Disaster Waste Recovery will be more hands-on. WMW: What will your job entail? And will this be a full-time post for you? Initially I am spearheading this new NGO with my role being funded by Golder Associates. What happens in the future once the NGO is fully operational has yet to be decided, but I will certainly (as a minimum) be helping to establish the NGO and get projects up and running. WMW: Presumably your work will take you wherever disaster strikes worldwide? Yes, it already does! The only limitations concern security issues, so countries such as Iraq may be out of bounds until the situation improves. Just within the past year I have been involved in numerous disaster waste projects and training workshops in Banda Aceh and the Maldives following the tsunami, New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and more recently in Pakistan following the October 2005 earthquake. A typical day in the field will normally involve driving through the affected areas and talking with local people to get a feel for the scale of the waste issue and to identify where we can bring the quickest benefits (quick wins). A lot of time is spent in meetings with the local authorities and Ministries discussing the importance of protecting public health and the environment, with specifics on how uncontrolled waste leads to real problems. And it is not always the local people who we talk to and support; it can just as well be the international organizations that are providing humanitarian relief that require support in their waste management. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for the internationals to fail to dispose of their wastes properly. Where we can, we will run training workshops and seminars to develop ideas on how the wastes can be handled and to get the different organizations and people talking together about waste. WMW: How will the NGO operate? The concept of the NGO is to be an ‘NGO-lite’, which refers to having a core staff of CEO, finance/admin, co-ordinator and fundraising (say 4-5 persons). And then when a disaster occurs, we will ask sponsors and associates of the NGO to second or donate waste expertise in the form of people for varying periods of time (from two-week assessment missions to one-year project implementation contracts). In this way we will put together the right team for the required assistance, based on a preliminary needs assessment immediately after the disaster. The range of disciplines in the team which is sent to support disaster waste can include expertise on all solid waste streams - hazardous, household, debris, asbestos, etc. - as well as functional expertise from collection systems, landfill/dumpsite design and operations, recycling, reuse and composting systems, financial instruments, gender integration, business development opportunities, etc. Finally, project and financial management will be required relating to waste management. WMW: What are the next steps for you and the NGO? The NGO has been legally established in autumn 2006 and we are presently looking for partners to join us from the waste industry, academia, the humanitarian sector, machinery suppliers, etc. These partners can join by providing expertise as well as financial support. We hope to have the NGO operational by early 2007. We are also looking for donors to engage with the NGO and provide interest in funding actual disaster waste projects. Martin Bjerregaard has dealt with tough waste management issues following disasters such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami Click here to enlarge image null