Disaster Relief Efforts Must Improve

When a disaster strikes, as Americans, our hearts are always in the right place but unfortunately our brain is not. After all past disaster experiences we don't seem to learn a great deal from them. Throwing money at the problem is not the total answer. Neither is throwing a large number of well intentioned people the total answer. The answer lies in organization and coordination of efforts to help those in need. One person who is highly trained in disaster relief should be in charge. The next step is to bring in the heavy equipment necessary to clear the way toward those in need of help, as well as provide landing and staging areas for people, equipment, and supplies. Once access can be gained to those in need of help a simultaneous effort should be given for rescue forces and medical help, including medical equipment and supplies. This should be closely followed by food and water supplies. Then temporary shelters, tents, etc. should be brought in, including medical tents for those injured or in need of medical attention. Thought should be given to provide a plan for sanitary conditions for all survivors. An immediate plan needs to be in place for those that may be dead.

The one person in charge should also coordinate all logistics. The logistics plan should follow the process outlined above as far as requests for help and priorities. If it is an international situation, immediate agreement should be gained to either work through the one person in charge, or, If that cannot be gained, then there should be a request for there to be a person in charge from each international delegation with excellent ongoing communication and coordination of efforts. The focus should always be on the disaster victims in need of help.

Prior to any disaster occurring, in the United States, we should have the storage of typical heavy equipment, medical equipment and supplies, etc. for such disaster events. There should also be a personnel plan, a logistic plan, as well as how to rapidly and effectively utilize money that is donated to help as well as volunteers.

For those that say we already have all of the above in place, it is very clear that we do not. Does anyone know who the person is, who is in charge of our relief efforts in Haiti? Point made! Many lives are lost due to this lack of organization and coordination.

We need to get better.