Disaster Preparedness And How It Mitigates The Negative Effects

By Amy Butler


In eras gone by, humans had to contend with the disastrous results of natural forces. Cyclones, volcanic eruptions. Earthquakes, tsunamis, drought, and pestilence had very negative effects on human populations. In present times the effect is still the same as global conditions are not better off than in the past. Economic activity will be greatly affected by these types of events. Safeguarding lives, properties, and businesses can be handled effectively with Crisis Management services.

Governments all over the world today are confronted with an ever increasing number of crisis involving unexpected threats. These can spread across borders and can cause an economic breakdown. Studies highlight the fact that there are interconnected vulnerabilities on a global scale. Fiscal or financial crises have made national leaders become more aware of its effects on the economy, social system, and political stability.

Modern day crisis requires the involvement of the general populace above the call of duty provided by emergency teams. There has to be good communication and coordination to lessen the impact. This really is the reason why governments all over world instituted disaster management councils to effectively manage and coordinate measures during natural or financial calamities. These agencies are responsible for giving the right response during these times.

Very recent crises have posed a challenge to risk managers and governments brought about by unpredictable circumstances and the breakdown in communication. Examples of these include the bird flu epidemic, the Indian Ocean tsunami, and hurricane Katrina. The worst case was the tsunami that hit Japan and caused damage to the nuclear plant.

Natural disasters in recent years greatly dwarf those that happened in centuries past in many ways than one. First, these were on a scale never before experienced. Second, no immediate comparison can be drawn from the past. Third, tsunamis and earthquakes happen together in deadly combination. Last and the most alarming is that it hit more than one nation.

The various fortuitous calamities that have been mentioned have risk managers come into a conclusion that costlier and damaging calamities will happen in the twenty first century. Populations in nations have become increasingly interconnected and complicated and are now vulnerable and exposed to new and different threats that will happen to spread like deadly wildfire across a prairie.

Furthermore, the responsibility of the government is now geared toward having a more involved media and citizenry. Risk reduction managers still have the tasks that are commonly associated with them. The increased burden that the private sector now bears and the decentralization of responsibilities have greatly trimmed down government capacity to take actions that can mitigate risks in sectors that are identified as critical for a working society.

There also are changes in the responsibilities of crisis managers. The current environment of global complexity poses a serious problem for them especially at the level of government and private agencies. The ever changing scene demands adaptability of procedures, tools, structures, and equipment to address destructive occurrences in a new form. In present times they have to confront the things that will be mentioned in the next paragraph.

First is having to deal with the unpredictable unknown. Second is addressing other nations, international organizations, and government administration. The third is the reduction of governmental agency capacity resulting from privatization. Fourth is the participation of new organizations that have different procedure and agenda. Fifth is the constant eye of the public and the media.




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