Disaster Relief Fund
The ICA Disaster Relief Fund is established to aid in the stabilization and recovery needs of archival institutions affected by catastrophic events.
Background
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 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 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 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.
Review Committee
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.