Thursday, May 31, 2012

Following Major Natural Disasters Reconstruction Is The Goal

By Paulette Hart


Every nation seeks to prepare itself for survival following major events. When it comes to earthquakes, tsunamis or weather related events, nothing we can construct is impervious. The natural forces of the earth are far stronger than anything man has yet been able to build. When these events occur, the world must band together and help as in the Haiti reconstruction effort.

The most critical time is immediately after catastrophe strikes. This is when people are most vulnerable, and ironically the most difficult time to get anything done. There is little information and normal infrastructure is completely disrupted.

When there has been a cataclysmic event, simply bringing in such as people, material and food can be counterproductive. While a global reaction to get help to the people who have been affected always happens, planning and control are more important than immediacy. If there is no place for the material and people coming to help to be received, then their presence only strains existing resources further.

Experience has provided lesson learned so that a measured approach is adopted despite the human response to provide immediate aid. Initial efforts spent preparing for follow on material and personnel can make a huge difference in lives saved. The tragedy that some will be lost in the immediate aftermath is partially assuaged by the knowledge of greater overall survivability.

Following the event, the initial phase seeks to preserve life and remove dangerous circumstances while preparing for further aid. Search and rescue efforts, the security of power and gas lines and the assessment and facilitation of infrastructure serviceability are vital to success. Basic levels of safety must be established so that more help can be accommodated.

No matter how well prepared and how great a plan has been produced, the event will create and foment chaos. In the haiti Reconstruction example, a poverty stricken nation provides even greater challenges to the world. The efforts of countless non-governmental agencies, in addition to national efforts will see the island recover in time.




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