Crisis Management of Disaster or Catastrophe - Literature review Example

Running Header: Risk Management Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 2 Crisis Management 4 Purpose of crisis management 4 Objectives of crises management 4 Crisis preparedness 4 Crisis management programs 5 Post recovery Strategies 9 Comments 10 Conclusion 10 Introduction Haddow and Bullock (2007, p. 123) argues that crisis is a major event that is unpredictable with potentiality of having negative effects. It usually results to extensive damage of physical facilities and the environment, and loss of life or injuries. Crisis is usually characterized by an element of surprise with no immediate solutions to the problem and shortage of time to resolve the problem. It is also characterized by insufficient information and other crucial resources when it is required during the early stages of the crisis. Crisis usually leads to panic with disrupted decision making processes. Disaster, catastrophe or calamity can be defined as the occurrence of state of extreme misfortune and ruin. It can as well be referred to as a devastating ecology disruption which takes place on a large scale. Disaster can be man made or naturally occurring hazard and it usually poses a threat to surrounding environment, property or life. There is need to manage the crisis that may occur in order to reduce it effects in the environment and to the people. It is important to be prepared for such crises and disasters before they take place or occur. Tsunami is such a disaster that claimed a lot of life as well as extensive damage of properties when it occurred in 2004. On December 26, 2004, a major earthquake of 8.9 magnitude occurred near Aceh in Indonesia under the sea. This earthquake generated the biggest tsunami that has ever been experienced in the world for the last 40 years. It is estimated that over 167,736 people died with confirmed number being 130,736 people when high speed water fanned from Indian Ocean and slammed into coastal areas. There was extensive damage of infrastructures and properties. More than half a million people were displaced by tsunami with 37,063 people missing in Indonesia. Such disasters pose a great risk to be people and the environment when they take place. They require proper and outlined crises management. Crisis Management Purpose of crisis management According to Heath (1998, p. 156), the main purpose of crisis management is to prevent or reduce a potential crisis from developing into an actual crisis. This is through a rapid or quick decision making. Crisis management also aims at bringing the crises under total control of the involved organizations and individuals. Objectives of crises management According to Heath (1998, p. 154), crisis management aims at coordinating exchange of information within an area or organization with the aim of preventing any crisis from taking place. It also aims at establishing a structure that is effective towards crisis management as well as responding to any threatening or actual crisis. Crisis management also aims at ensuring there is cooperation between relevant participants in the crisis management fields. Crisis preparedness Virtanen (2004, p. 360) argues that crisis or disaster management is the planned steps that are adopted in order to minimize the effects of disasters such as tsunami. Crisis preparedness and management ensures there are minimized risks and crisis as well as its avoidance and prevention. Disaster management is a continuous process where all individuals, community and groups tackle crisis in the process of reducing its effects. Crisis management and disaster preparedness is crucial towards ensuring there is minimized loss of life when disasters like tsunami takes place or occurs. Disaster preparedness aims at ensuring appropriate resources, procedures and available resources are put in place in providing assistance to those affected by the disaster. Several countries including Indonesia that was greatly affected by tsunami have improved their efforts in ensuring effective measures are put in place in case such a disaster recurring in future. Crisis preparedness and management makes sure that efficient standards and regulations are put in place in preparing and preventing against crisis and disasters like tsunami as well as ensuring systems of communication, information and warning are well organized. Crisis preparedness and management puts in place good public education programs development towards ensuring society becomes aware on the ways towards preventing itself against tsunami and other related disasters. Crisis management systems will also coordinate information sessions with media news towards informing people and updating them on the awaiting disasters and how to avoid and evade such disasters. Crisis management programs George (2007, p. 235) maintains that several countries all over the world have come up with various ways on how to prepare for large scale disasters that may occur such as tsunami. Improved public safety and crisis management will ensure there are improved safety with reduced property damage and loss of life. Countries like Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and India among others have developed crisis management policies to curb the effects of disasters in their countries as well as in international regions. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Netherlands are such countries that have supplied a lot of aids to various countries that have been affected by tsunami disaster. They have facilitated the recovery process in various countries that were affected by Tsunami disasters. These countries are prepared for any disaster or crises through setting out a certain percent of budget allocation in terms of finance in their expenditures. This will ensure that in case of a disaster, there will be quick response towards recovery. Various organizations like FAO, UNDP, UNEP, European Commission, and Disaster Emergency Committee (UK) among others have set up strategies and policies to assist in disaster events. Various relief organizations like UNICEF, WHO, WFO, and FAO among others will ensure there is distribution of enough support in terms of resources and other required aids to the affected population when disasters strike. Countries like Indonesia and Sri Lanka have developed various national development strategies for mitigating natural disaster impacts on the areas prone to such disasters. Due to the vast geographical spread of the disaster, a huge challenge of logistics arose for international aid agencies and organizations. Tsunami Evaluation Committee is an independent, learning and accountability initiative which has been started in the humanitarian sector. It was started after 2004 tsunami with the aim of improving the quality of humanitarian action that includes longer term developments and recoveries. It also aims at providing accountability to both affected populations or regions and donors to the overall response. Tsunami Evaluation Committee also aims at the approach towards a possible model for the future joint collaborative evaluation of disasters. Lydia (2006) argues that in Malaysia, ministry of education and UNICEF has launched the Emergency Preparedness Programmes in various schools all over the country. This is to inform and help students and teachers on the ways to survive disasters like droughts, landslides, earthquakes and flash floods. Extensive education to local community on how to prepare and respond to the disasters has been provided by Malaysian government. Such school emergency preparedness initiative will be designed to mitigate any fatalities that may occur incase of a natural disaster like tsunami. Of late in Malaysia, ministry of health, defense ministry, royal Malaysian Police, department of Fire & Rescue Services, and other organizations dealing with humanitarian relief in Malaysia have held various workshops in ensuring strategies and emergency preparedness are put in place. In United States, the Emergency Management Division has been established from the Washington Military Department. This division has the main aim of ensuring impacts from emergencies and disasters are minimized in a greater extent to people, environment, economy, and properties of Washington State. According to Fredirick (2007, p. 79), United States in collaboration with several countries like Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Mymar among others have developed a National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP). This program has primary goals of raising awareness to the affected population, and developing integrated models and maps of tsunami to be used in developing improved warning systems, guidance and evacuation maps. NTHMP also aims at improving tsunami warning systems while incorporating tsunami and related plans in various multi-hazard programs. In India, United Nation Team for Recovery Support (UNTRS) has been established in its efforts to recover and prepare for disasters like tsunami. It comprises of several UN-agencies like ILO, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, UNDP, WHO, and UNESCO. A joint office was established in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in order to facilitate the efforts towards Tsunami recovery as well as supporting the government in its efforts for rehabilitation and preparing in case such a disaster occurs. This collaborative program and support has assisted in the improvement of recovery and disaster preparedness in India. Moore and Lakha (2006, p.102) maintains that various agencies around the world have been established in order to inform people on various ways to prepare for disasters. This is in trying to keep society safe in case such a disaster strikes. Such agencies include Coastal Northern Marina Islands Homeland Security which provides various post survival guidelines in the internet. Extensive information and teachings have been provided in the websites on various ways towards preparing for disasters if it occurs. In Australia, government has established Tsunami warning systems that aim at reducing Tsunami effects in society. A project referred to as Australian Warning System (ATWS) is being managed by Meteorology Bureau, Department of Attorney-General, and Geosciences Australia. This aims at managing effectively any kind of disaster that may occur. Australian Government has increased funding in order to upgrade monitoring systems of seismic technologies. Sri Lankan government through Center of National Operations (CNO) has also set up various programs like Sahana FOSS Disaster Management System. This was established after tsunami disaster occurred in 2004 to assist in disaster management. Sahana project will provide a web based management application to provide solutions to problems or relief to disasters. United Nations has passed a resolution towards mitigating natural disaster throughout the world. According to Perry (2006, p.40), the American Red Cross Tsunami Recovery Program has been set up in order to respond to major disasters if they occur. A tsunami emergency management system has been set up by American Red Cross in order to respond to any disaster that may occur. This is mainly through preparing community and educating them on disaster management and preparedness in order to reduce disaster effects on the community. Another organization that has been developed by collaboration of various countries and National weather Services is Tsunami-Ready. This organization aims at assisting communities at risk of any disaster to move to safer grounds before disaster strikes. It also ensures towns and counties near coastal line areas have reduced tsunami related consequences. Tsunami-Ready program aims at preparing on ways to save lives mainly through creating community awareness, planning, education, and planning. Tsunami-Ready has set up various community based warning systems in areas that are prone to disasters. This gives alerts and warnings to public in case there is about to occur. Tsunami-Ready also promotes public readiness by educating community on ways to prepare for the disaster. Post recovery Strategies In the process of trying to recover from disasters, various management strategies have been started to ensure they are able to recover from the disaster impacts. Bangladesh is such one country that has started a ministry of Disaster Management and Relief which is to assist in management of various types of disasters on local and district levels. India has as well put up various disaster management agencies or authorities to assist in the management of disasters. One such established authority is Union Home Ministry. This has worked through various branches in defense department like Navy, Army, and Air Force in ensuring effective measures are put in place towards disaster management and recovery. Union Home Ministry is a management system which ensures a fast and reliable system of communication that ensures quick responds to disasters with least time possible. Other post recovery strategies include the use of GIS in ensuring early warnings to disasters are implemented. GIS is being used in Indian Ocean and Pacific seas in order to integrate socioeconomic, natural and disaster information in ensuring there are effective strategies when preparing for the disaster. Comments Local communities and agencies should ensure there a strong disaster management system in all levels so as to enhance and increase disaster preparedness within their regions. Government should put all efforts possible to ensure there is a strong managing system of disaster by educating local society on the ways of preventing against such disasters. Local communities and other agencies including government should train community volunteers in order to assist the communities in case of disaster occurrence. There is need to enlighten and inform the society through the use of media and other available means on various ways to prevent and avoid disaster zones. Public education and improved awareness should be the priority of various governments. A zoning criteria should be developed in order to ensure there are no human settlements along the coastline. This will assist in easing population evacuation in case tsunami or related disasters occur. Conclusion Crisis should be managed in order to reduce any kind of destruction that may take place. Proper crisis management will ensure that there is reduced loss of life and properties at all moments. The main purpose of having an effective disaster management is to ensure any pending management does not unfold to a real disaster or crisis. Crisis management aims at coordinating exchange of information within an area or organization with the aim of preventing any crisis from taking place or occurring. Crisis preparedness and management ensures there are minimized risks and crisis as well as its avoidance and prevention. Disaster management is a continuous process that ensures all individuals, community and groups participate in reducing crisis and effects. Countries like Indonesia have put in place various measures to ensure they are able to manage properly disaster related crisis. Various countries all over the globe have ensured there are reduced effects of disasters as they put in place effective disaster management policies and strategies. Various organizations like FAO, UNDP, UNEP, European Commission, Disaster Emergency Committee from UK, UNICEF, WHO, and WFO have come up with various strategies to ensure recurrence of such disasters are well managed and handled effectively. They are various programs like National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program which have been developed by several countries like United States, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Mymar among others to ensure there is good management of disasters when they occur. Effective management of crisis and disasters will ensure there are reduced losses of life and properties in case major disasters like tsunami occur. References Fredirick, G 2007, Disaster and Recovery Planning: A guide for Facility Managers, Fairmont Press Inc, Lilburn (Georgia). George, P 2007, ‘Risk Assessment of the Tsunami Hazard’, Natural and Man-made Hazards, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 234-241. Haddow, D & Bullock, J 2007, Introduction to Emergency Management, Butterworth Heinemann, London. Heath, R 1998, Crisis Management for managers and executives, Financial Times/Prentice Hall, London. Lydia, L 2006, Malaysia, viewed 8 June 2010, http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/malaysia_35589.html Moore, T & Lakha, R 2006, Tolly’s Handbook of Disaster and Emergency Management: Principles and practice, Heinemann Butterworth, London. Perry, R 2006, ‘Fundamental of Emergency Management’, Journal of Homeland security and Emergency Management, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 34-56. Virtanen, J 2004, ‘Surviving the Tsunami’, Coastal engineering Journal, vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 355- 370. Read More