Disaster Relief - Ethical Issues Related to Relief Operations - Essay Example

Effectiveness of CDRP

            According to the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) (2006), the effectiveness of the nation’s preparedness, response and recovery system can be based on its leadership, capabilities, and accountability. The three basic elements that should be included in disaster management are the following:

Leadership denotes the clearly defined, well-understood, effective communication and the facilitation of rapid and effective decision-making of the different forms of legal lines of authorities and the different levels of the government. This also involves proper coordination and endorsement of the different agencies involved.

Capabilities should be developed for the overall catastrophic disaster effort to be successful. This includes effective coordination and planning, robust exercises, and training where the required capabilities are tested and improved.

Accountability involves being ensured that the available resources are used appropriately and for a valid purpose. Also, making certain that eligible disaster victims receive sufficient assistance.

With the implementation of the three basic elements discussed above the CDRP should be an effective organization during the disaster. After the disaster, a basis for evaluation of the CDRP is the following: (1) proper and comprehensive assessment of the damage and needs of the disaster victims and (2) ability to provide food, water, shelter, and other essential needs of the victims (United States Government Accountability Office GAO, 2006). This can very well be a basis of evaluation for the CDRP's effectiveness after the disaster.

Ethical Issues

            During a disaster, immediate interventions are important. However, should the quality of care be lessened in order to provide medical interventions to reach a number of victims? Quantity and quality should always be done together even in disaster situations. This is to ensure that all victims, whatever their status, will receive the proper and appropriate care they need.

            In any emergency situation, it is pertinent for the rescuers to assess the safety of the scene before anything else. In cases where they leave the victim to save themselves; does this not raise questions about nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice?

            Personally, I believe that in cases of catastrophic disasters it is hard to focus on ethical issues since the main goal is to save lives. Also, personal safety is important; this is to ensure continuity of the catastrophic disaster response plan.