Module 3.4 The appropriate time to provide cultural heritage first aid
During an emergency, the first priority is to save lives and ensure security. Once such operations are complete, cultural heritage first aid can be activated. Nonetheless, on-the-ground coordination mechanisms with various emergency and humanitarian actors must be set up prior to an emergency and should be given due consideration in the emergency preparedness plans of local governments and cultural heritage institutions. In practice, the right time for initiating first aid varies and depends on the following factors:
- The nature and scale of emergency: in the case of a major or complex emergency, involving extensive damage and loss of life, first aid operations might be delayed.
- Access to affected areas: in the event of an armed conflict or nuclear incident, access to the affected area will be severely limited, which may, in turn, delay the activation of first aid.
- The scale of damage caused to cultural heritage and/or its significance for stakeholders: where damage is extensive, the need for outside assistance could delay oeprations. Similarly, for highly significant cultural heritage, such as a World Heritage site, external experts may be required to carry out inspections before any action can be taken.
- Local capacity and preparedness: where there is local capacity in terms of trained personnel and resources, and coordination mechanisms with emergency management institutions are also in place, it is easier to initiate cultural heritage first aid immediately following the life-saving operations.
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