[Radix] US International Disaster Response Policy?

[Brian G. McAdoo]

Colleagues, 


The US has come under increasing criticism for its relatively slow response to the Haitian disaster. On the one hand, countries as far afield as China (geographically) and Iceland (economically) seemed to respond faster than the Obama administration. On the other hand, however, it is much easier to mobilize half-a-million band-aids than it is a fully equipped floating hospital. 


So, Does the US have a policy concerning where, when, how much and how fast aid is delivered during the course of a disaster? Does the US Government keep a stockpile of supplies in case of a disaster? Or are the reserves truly being drained by the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Why $100 M, and not $10 M or $1 B? Would a similar package been offered to Cuba or Venezuela, had the disaster happened there? Would the Marines been brought in for supposed riot control had the disaster occurred in the Virgin Islands? 


If there is a policy in place, then the government can be held accountable for the shortcomings it is accused of. If there isn't a policy in place, should there be, or is it better off as a case-by-case basis because of the geophysical and geopolitical complexity of disasters? 


Thank you for your thoughts, 


Brian 

-- 
Brian G. McAdoo 
Program Chair 
Department of Earth Science and Geography 
Box 735 
Vassar College 
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604 

845.249.9561 m 
845.437.7703 w 

Office hours: T 10-11; Th 2-3 

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