[Radix] US International Disaster Response Policy?

[Frederick Krimgold]

Brian,
	The US does have policy for foreign disaster response. Responsibility  
is with the Office of Foreign Disaster Response in USAID. OFDA  
responded on the day of the earthquake. US search and rescue teams  
were dispatched to Haiti immediately (before China or Iceland). The  
delay in response may be related to the decision to rely on the  
military. Military organization is not necessarily well suited to  
civilian relief operations.
	OFDA responded energetically in the relief effort following the Bam  
earthquake in Iran. However, that aid must be requested by the  
affected country.
	The US military may berestoring effective in restoring and managing  
the airport, stockpiling material and setting up emergency water  
supply. However, the military may over emphasize issues of security  
and lack competence in dealing with the civilian population.
Dr. Frederick Krimgold
Director
Disaster Risk Reduction Program (DRR)
Virginia Tech
Advanced Research Institute (ARI)
4300  Wilson Blvd., Suite 750
Arlington, VA 22203 USA
Main: 703-528-5500
Direct: 703-387-6033
Fax: 703-528-5543
Email: krimgold at vt.edu
Web: www.ari.vt.edu/DRR







On Jan 18, 2010, at 10:24 PM, Brian G. McAdoo wrote:

> 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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