The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and resulting Indian Ocean tsunami was a glo
ID: 395391 • Letter: T
Question
The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and resulting Indian Ocean tsunami was a global event. The disaster affected millions in Southeast Asia and beyond, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, the Maldives, Somalia, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia, and others. The plight of many affected peoples generated a worldwide humanitarian response. The disaster has had enduring and significant implications for the practice of emergency management.
Discuss at least one important lesson learned for each of the four phases of emergency management:
1) mitigation
2) preparedness
3) response
4) recovery
Address the following questions in your essay:
1) What can these nations do to better prepare for another disaster of this magnitude?
2) What international emergency management organizations are important to these efforts? Why?
3) What lessons does the Indian Ocean tsunami have for emergency management in the United States?
4) What characteristics of emergency management in the United States hinder preparedness efforts?
5) What characteristics of emergency management in the United States are considered to be strengths?
Explanation / Answer
In 2004, the indian ocean earthquake and tsunami challenged humanitarian assistance to unprecedented degree. After three years implementing programmes in eight countries, UNICEF has achieved results for over 6 million children and women in tsunami affected areas.
Some 1.2 million children were immunized against measles and more than 3 million children received vitamin A supplementation and essential drugs, as well as emergency water and sanitation to help prevent disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the disaster. Since then, UNICEF and its partners (including governments, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society groups) have helped build capabilities that did not exist before and assisted in reconstructing and improving on what the tsunami destroyed. They have combined the training of more than 56,000 health staff, the provision of key supplies and equipment to more than 7,000 health facilities and 2 million schoolchildren, the development of child protection policies and the construction/rehabilitation so far of 107 schools, 59 health facilities, 28 child centres and water facilities serving some 700,000 people.
In doing so, lessons were learned for future humanitarian assistance. The evaluation of UNICEF’s initial tsunami response highlighted some good practices that will lead to lasting improvements. Partnerships were expanded, particularly with UN agencies, the private sector and the military.2 Funding was timely and abundant and, as 53 per cent of incoming funds were thematic, they were also unearmarked and long term.
1. Children and communities should be provided with the knowledge and skills needed to identify warning signs, and prepare for the better cope with disasters
2. Effective emergency response requires the right person at the right place at the right time.
3. Providing the right supplies in the right place at the right time can go far in addressing emergency needs
4. Reliable information is essential in order to target the most vulnerable, and plan,monitor, coordinate and be accountable to stakeholders
5. Adequate funding and adaptable financial and administrative procedures
6. Putting resources into hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness is perhaps the best investment a country can make.
1) What can these nations do to better prepare for another disaster of this magnitude?
2) What international emergency management organizations are important to these efforts? Why?
ational tsunami warning and emergency management authorities must have aligned and robust tsunami warning and response plans and procedures to ensure timely and effective tsunami warnings are issued and impacted communities respond effectively to them. While significant improvements have been made in this regard, the Intergovernmental Coordination Groups (ICGs) of the four Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Systems acting under the aegis of the UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission have all identified that gaps still remain. Collectively, they have agreed that a guideline that sets a standard for tsunami warning plans and procedures, and that is endorsed and published by the IOC Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Hazards related to Sea Level Warning and Mitigation System (TOWS-WG) is required to guide countries.
) What lessons does the Indian Ocean tsunami have for emergency management in the United States?
The tragedy, which echoed around the globe, threw the spotlight squarely on just how vulnerable the world is to natural hazards. It was also a stark reminder of the importance of tackling disaster risk head on, by bolstering preparedness and resilience. As such, it spurred a renewed, collective international effort to reduce risk, loss of life and economic damage. The tsunami acted a wake call and made us understand how vulnerable we are to hazards. one great lesson is that we must build and plan coastal urban area in amore sustainable and responsible way.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
The complexity of emergency management is a problem of boundries. The field is becoming increasingly complex and more than ever, needs a myriad of disciplines to accomplish its mission.
weakness
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