Relief Organizations for Natural Disasters - Case Study Example

Introduction Existing local and international NGOs, including the NGO in which the writer is currently associated with, have very limited knowledge with regards to the proper responses to hurricane disaster and post- disaster. Considering the positive and negative impact of NGO’s adapted procedures with regards to the release of relief goods, the writer will provide a brief documentation that highlights significant key issues, concepts, misconceptions, and common errors that occurs during disasters and post-disaster response. Purpose of the Briefing Report The briefing report will be used as a guide on how local and international NGOs could enhance the efficiency of its future services when responding to hurricane disaster and post-disaster. Summary of the Facts and Background Relevance of Political, Social and Economic Factors in Response to Natural Disaster As a result of continuously growing population, more people are left with no choice but to reside along the hurricane-prone coastal areas. In the case of the recent Katrina hurricane which occurred in the United States, the economic loss has reached an estimated value between US$81 billion. (DisasterCom, 2008) In general, the local government together with relief agencies work together in terms of providing relief workers with technical assistance to enable them to meet the work requirements within the shortest possible time frame. Regardless of the economic condition, the local government support plays a crucial role in promoting the importance of strong coordination a between the government agencies, police department, fire fighters, and NGO volunteers in response to and recover from hurricane disaster including a long-term rebuilding initiatives especially in the case wherein the hurricane has reached a national level alert. In the process, the local government and NGOs should seek relief aids from private sectors that are willing to contribute relief goods in the form of cash or non-cash donations. (Aidmatrix, 2008; Busines Roundtable, 2006a) Negative Trauma and Violence Caused by Natural Disasters Surviving victims of natural disasters like hurricane are expected to undergo shock, trauma and grievance caused by the loss of their loved ones who died from the incidence. Aside from the negative emotions, the victims are also in danger with their health due to possible hunger and the possible outbreak of epidemic diseases such as malaria-causing mosquito which could breed in standing water as well as cholera, diarrhoea, and dysentery which could result from the presence of contaminated water. (Business Roundtable, 2006c) Positive Social Transformation in Response to Disaster and Post-Disaster Having experienced a serious hurricane disaster could lead to a positive social transformation in the sense that the local government, police department, fire fighters, and NGOs can convert their negative experiences as they build a better and more reliable building codes, the development and use of advanced technology as early warning mechanisms and devices, including the implementation of a more efficient disaster preparedness program which is necessary in saving the lives of the hurricane victims. (Business Roundtable, 2006c) Checklist, Frameworks, and Good Practice Guidelines Between cash or in kind, the local government and relief agencies prefer cash more than products since cash contributions can be used in paying the transportation costs of transporting relief goods directly to the victims of hurricane. In fact, it is a misconception that products like canned goods, bottled water, clothing, shoes, and medicines are urgently needed in providing the needs of the victims since product contribution could only increase the transportation costs and additional time requirement needed in sorting and packing of goods. (Business Roundtable, 2006b, 2006c) As a result, transporting relief goods to the victims is often delayed. Another common misconception is that outside volunteers are required to travel to disaster areas. (Business Roundtable, 2006c) In reality, only those volunteers with special disaster response skills are allowed to travel to disaster areas since allowing the voluneteers without the required skills could only ‘do more harm thatn good’ when responding to a hurrican disaster. Conclusion and Recommendations Hurricane disasters can cause traumatic experience on part of the victims. In order to avoid and prevent risking the lives of the victims, the local NGOs should establish a good network with the state, regional, and international humanitarian agency contacts to allow them to effectively coordinate with other team with regards to the immediate release of relief goods and provide voluntary assistance during the recovery period. For instance: Relief workers and NGOs could establish a satellite communication network including mobile phone and laptop within the disaster area to enable the victims to communicate with their love ones. (DisasterCom, 2007) By allowing the victims to have the option to communicate with their family, relatives, and friends, it will be much easier for the victims cope with the traumatic situation. The same telecommunication and Internet devices will be used by the team to report the needed food and drinking supplies of the victims. With the use of reliable and cost-effective real-time communication devices, the local and international NGOs will be able to immediately respond to the specific needs of the victims. (DisasterCom, 2008) NGOs should be encouraged to provide its members sufficient training and technical assistance coming from the hurricane experts to enhance its disaster preparedness and competitiveness during the pre- and post-disaster management at all times. (Templeton, 2008) Also, it is also highly recommended for each of the local NGOs to gather and discuss the development and implementation of the best command and control iniatives that can be used as a universal procedure when it comes to solving the common issues that are related with disaster response including the delay in provision of emergency services as well as the delivery of relief goods. Immediately extending emergency services to the victims is a crucial part of saving the lives of the victims whereas timely delivery of relief goods is an important part of hunger prevention and treating possible illnesses as a post-disaster response. Aside from supplying the victims with clean drinking water and food supply, NGOs should exert extra effort in burying the dead bodies as soon as possible in order to prevent the spread of potential diseases within the disaster area. (Business Roundtable, 2006c) References: Aidmatrix. (2008). Retrieved June 21, 2008, from Resources for Making In Kind Donations: http://www.businessroundtable.org/pdf/20060327001ResourcesformakingInKindDonations.pdf Busines Roundtable. (2006a, March 27). Retrieved June 21, 2008, from How Can My Company Help? A Guide for Country Managers in Responding to Natural Disasters: http://www.businessroundtable.org/pdf/20060327003CountryManagersGuide.pdf Business Roundtable. (2006b, March 27). Retrieved June 21, 2008, from The Do’s and Don’ts of Effective Giving: What Every Employee Should Know About Contributing to Disaster Relief: http://www.businessroundtable.org/pdf/20060327002EmployeeGuideDosandDonts.pdf Business Roundtable. (2006c, March 27). Retrieved June 21, 2008, from Top Ten Myths of Disaster Relief: http://www.businessroundtable.org/pdf/20060327002Top10Myths.pdf DisasterCom. (2007, March). Retrieved June 21, 2008, from Report from the Field: http://www.disasters.org/dera/library/2007_march.pdf DisasterCom. (2008, March). Retrieved June 21, 2008, from Dera Newsletter: http://www.disasters.org/dera/library/2008_march.pdf DisasterCom. (2008, March). Retrieved June 21, 2008, from Command & Control Initiative Implementation: http://www.disasters.org/dera/library/2008_march.pdf Templeton, D. (2008, March). DisasterCom. Retrieved June 21, 2008, from The United Kingdom's RedR Program: http://www.disasters.org/dera/library/2008_march.pdf Read More