There Have Been Several Devastating Natural And Man-Made Dis
There Have Been Several Devastating Disastersnatural And Man Madeacr
There have been several devastating disasters—natural and man-made—across the globe in the past 5 years. Each disaster impacted physical, social, economic, demographic, political, and other domains. Your task: Select a U.S. recovery case (e.g., a hurricane, flood, earthquake, fire, within the past 5 years) and compare it to another country’s like disaster. How are they similar and different? Consider government actions, input from stakeholders, international aid, and other factors.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Disasters, whether natural or man-made, significantly affect societies by causing loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and economic setbacks. The recovery process involves multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, communities, and international organizations. In this paper, I compare the recovery efforts following Hurricane Laura in the United States with a similar disaster—the 2017 cyclone and flood in Bangladesh, known as Cyclone Mora. The comparison highlights similarities and differences in disaster response, government actions, stakeholder involvement, and international aid, providing insights into effective disaster management strategies.
Disaster Overview: Hurricane Laura and Cyclone Mora
Hurricane Laura struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in August 2020, causing widespread destruction across Louisiana, Texas, and surrounding states. It resulted in casualties, displaced residents, and extensive infrastructure damage, particularly in coastal areas. The recovery process was marked by federal and state government initiatives, emergency response teams, and community involvement.
In contrast, Cyclone Mora hit Bangladesh and Myanmar in May 2017, causing severe flooding and wind damage. Bangladesh, a vulnerable country due to its geographic location and densely populated regions, faced significant challenges in rescue, relief, and rebuilding efforts. The disaster elicited responses from the government, local organizations, and international aid agencies.
Comparison of Government Actions
In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) played a central role in coordinating disaster response and recovery. The federal government allocated funds for rebuilding infrastructure, restoring utilities, and providing financial assistance to affected individuals. The National Guard and local agencies also contributed extensively. U.S. disaster management follows a structured approach characterized by pre-established emergency plans, rapid deployment of resources, and robust communication networks.
Bangladesh’s government responded through the Disaster Management Bureau, activating the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and local government units for evacuation and relief operations. The country’s response is often constrained by limited resources and infrastructural challenges, leading to reliance on international aid for extensive recovery efforts. The government emphasizes community participation and preparedness, though capacity constraints can hamper swift responses.
Stakeholder Involvement and International Aid
In the U.S., stakeholders include federal, state, and local agencies, private sector actors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community groups. The federal government often provides logistical support and funding, while NGOs assist with relief distribution and community rebuilding. International aid is less prominent but may include humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross.
Bangladesh’s recovery heavily depends on both government initiatives and international aid agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP). Local communities and NGOs play vital roles in disseminating information, conducting relief operations, and assisting in rebuilding efforts. Given Bangladesh’s vulnerability, international aid constitutes a significant component of disaster response and recovery.
Similarities in Disaster Response and Recovery
Both the U.S. and Bangladesh prioritize evacuation, emergency sheltering, medical aid, and restoring essential services. They rely on multi-sector collaboration, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities. In both cases, early warning systems were crucial for minimizing casualties, with advanced technology employed in the U.S. and community-based alerts in Bangladesh.
Preparedness measures, such as drills and public awareness campaigns, are integral in both contexts. They also face the challenge of resource constraints, especially in less developed regions of Bangladesh, impacting the scope and pace of recovery.
Differences in Approaches and Outcomes
The primary difference lies in resource availability. The U.S. has more advanced infrastructure, financial resources, and organizational capacity, enabling a more rapid and extensive recovery process. The U.S. government’s quick deployment and large-scale federal support facilitate rebuilding critical infrastructure within months.
Bangladesh faces ongoing challenges due to poverty, high population density, and limited infrastructure. Recovery tends to be slower and often relies heavily on international aid and external funding. Additionally, Bangladesh’s disaster management emphasizes community resilience and preparedness, reflecting its repeated exposure to similar events.
The legal and policy frameworks also differ. The U.S. has comprehensive disaster management legislation, such as the Stafford Act, which streamlines federal aid. Bangladesh’s policies are evolving but less comprehensive, leading to gaps in emergency response and recovery effectiveness.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Analyzing these cases reveals the importance of strong governance, community engagement, and international cooperation. The U.S. exemplifies the benefits of well-established disaster response systems supported by ample resources, while Bangladesh demonstrates the need for community-based resilience and international aid reliance due to resource limitations.
Recommendations include investing in infrastructure resilience in vulnerable regions, enhancing early warning systems, and strengthening policy frameworks. International collaboration can be further optimized by sharing best practices, increasing funding, and building local capacity for disaster risk reduction (Preston et al., 2017).
Conclusion
Disaster recovery efforts in the U.S. and Bangladesh showcase both the universality and variability of responses based on resource availability, policy frameworks, and stakeholder involvement. While the U.S. benefits from advanced infrastructure and comprehensive planning, Bangladesh’s resilience depends significantly on community engagement and international aid. Learning from each case can inform better strategies to mitigate impacts and accelerate recovery in future disasters globally.
References
- Preston, B. L., Westaway, E., & Kershaw, D. (2017). Climate resilience measurement for cities: An integrated approach. Climate and Development, 9(4), 375-389.
- Gale, F. (2020). Disaster Management in the United States. Journal of Emergency Management, 18(2), 123-135.
- Islam, M. S., & Sultana, P. (2019). Vulnerability and resilience to climate change-induced disasters: A case study of Bangladesh. Environmental Hazards, 18(4), 347-362.
- Smith, K. (2019). Environmental Hazards: Assessing Risk and Reducing Disaster. Routledge.
- UNISDR. (2015). Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
- U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2021). Hurricane Laura: Recovery and Response.
- Bangladesh Disaster Management Bureau. (2018). Annual Report on Disaster Recovery Efforts.
- World Food Programme. (2017). Response to Cyclone Mora in Bangladesh.
- United Nations. (2020). Building Resilience in Disaster-Prone Countries: Case of Bangladesh.
- Kelman, I. (2018). Interagency coordination in disaster response: Lessons from the US and Bangladesh. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 31, 610-618.