Tom Newby, Head of Humanitarian at CARE International UK, described how, by working with private-sector engineering and design practice BuroHappold (BH), their emergency response became faster, more effective, and cost-efficient.
Working with BH allowed CARE to call on the skills of a large, inter-disciplinary team who produced ‘cyclone-proof’ building strategies one month after visiting the country, enabling CARE to tender for the building of schools and health centres within 6 months of Mozambique being hit by a cyclone. In addition, cost-savings were made through buying materials and BH’s ‘Share our Skills’ programme, which allows employees to carry out non-fee paying work during regular hours.