Homeland security - Research Paper Example

? Homeland Security Disaster of any type will have an identity of its own and it will affect the people in different ways. Apart from mass destruction, a psychological void is often generated among the victims. This void has its own effect. An attempt has been made here to see how the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina had affected the psychological symptoms of the victims. A disaster is always accompanied with the need for different resources like food, treatment, etc. In this context here there is an attempt to examine the role of governments at all levels and also those of organized institutions like the Red Cross, FEMA, Homeland Security, etc. a considerable focus is given on the long-term effects of those disasters on victims, rescue workers, and children. Finally the role of media is brought forth to analyze their contribution in enhancing or mitigating psychological symptoms in victims. The paper shows that the two disasters, Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 attacks, had different origins, but their impacts upon the psychology of mankind were similar.  Summary of Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest storms ever to hit the US coast. It ripped through the Gulf Coast in 2005 and brought with itself not just strong gale of wind but also many unarticulated miseries. The coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama suffered the worst. New Orleans, in Louisiana, was severely affected due to the failure of the levee system. In fact, the levee system failed due to its flaws in designing and poor maintenance. The hurricane had its “economic”, “environmental”, “social”, and “political” impact. The hurricane was one of the costliest and it required money to restore it. The coastal regions were destroyed and the breeding grounds of the animals were lost. It also once again exposed the inability of the US government to handle such situations. Hurricane Katrina resulted in the loss of a great number of human lives. There was loss of life due to thirst and starvation. This drew a lot of criticisms for the government as they failed to save lives due to their lack of prompt action. (Hurricane Katrina: facts and information, n.d). Thousands of people had left the city and they became refugees. Many people found shelter with nearby relatives. On the other hand many restarted their lives in states far away as Massachusetts and Utah. Experts studying the hurricane concluded that it had the impact of four storms. Experts had further pointed out that understanding the previous flaws would be the key to success in future planning. In the wake of the storm, many loopholes within the planning system were exposed (Hurricane Katrina, 2010). Psychological Impact Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is found among those people who had experienced a traumatic event. Those who develop PTSD often have recurring thoughts about the incident and the person feels numb emotionally (What is PTSD, n.d). In case of Hurricane Katrina victims PTSD symptoms have been found even two years after the incident (Anderson, 2007). In case of natural disasters pet loss becomes a very common phenomenon. After Hurricane Katrina struck almost 200,000 pets were displaced. Only 5% of those found were reunited with their owners. There seems to be an association between pet loss with depression, posttraumatic stress, and acute stress (Lowe et.al, 2009, p 244). According to a federal mental health agency, those who lived along the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast required help for anger, depression and other problems while they were rebuilding their lives once again. When Hurricane Katrina was ravaging, the people had also witnessed deaths and helplessness, which had affected them. Thus, according to authorities with federal Substances Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the enormity of the disaster and long time in recovery had created a sense of hopelessness for some people (Carley 2006).  Availability of Resources for the Victims When the disaster took place, it also drew a lot of attention and help from all corners. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like the American Red Cross came forward and helped the victims. They had deployed many volunteers who were helping the victims in Louisiana. They had also collected huge donations to help the victims. Years after the disaster the NGOs continue to be instrumental in supporting the victims and helping them to rebuild their lives. The process of human recovery is very crucial and also subtle. This process involves rebuilding social daily routines to foster both mental and well-being. (Chandra & Acosta, 2006) The approach of Hurricane Katrina was anticipated much long ago before it struck. Under that circumstances the role of the government in tackling the situation either before or after the incident was condemned by all. It was known that the levee system in New Orleans will not be able to protect the city if a hurricane strikes, nothing much was done to save the people. Even the Congressional report admitted of US government’s lack of preparedness and incompetence (Kay, 2006). Role of Red Cross and FEMA The role of FEMA in case of large-scale disasters is to act as a coordinator with the federal as well as local and state governments. The FEMA had sent trucks of water, ice, and food in the affected areas but these efforts fell short of the requirement. Often disagreements between the FEMA authorities and others lead to problems in effective working. The Red Cross too carried on its largest post disaster mission. Red Cross in Louisiana provided shelter to 146,292 people. However coordination problem were seen between the Red Cross and FEMA. Red Cross had communicated its need to FEMA but it was found that FEMA delayed the delivery of the requisite things. Sometimes goods that were delivered were found short of the requirement. The responsibility of Red Cross was to look into the housing and shelter. Hence it was depended on FEMA for information, which was never coordinated properly. The result was the arrival of the victims without the availability of arrangement for them (Moynihan, 2009). Long-term effects Hurricane Katrina had left thousands of people homeless and it caused immense damage to the economy. The hurricane also had its series of psychological impacts, which will have its long-term effects. Louisiana’s second major industry was tourism and it suffered heavily when the Hurricane struck. A lot of physical damage was caused to those places, which were previously areas of tourist attraction (Schaffer, 2006). Many people avoided going to the affected areas as they had developed a psychological fear about that place. Impact on children Vulnerability is at its strongest hold in case of children. Incidents of disasters or witness to any horrific event affect them a lot. The age of the children is also crucial to the degree at which they are affected. “Children of different ages respond in different ways” (Silke, p. 201). The Hurricane had affected many children directly. Indirectly it had affected those children who had watched the extensive coverage of the media. They saw all the images of ruins, crying mothers and faces full of anxiety. As children are basically dependent and lack experience in crisis so it becomes particularly difficult for them. The physical separation of the children from their parents affects them deeply (Fritz, 2005, 8). As the parents are traumatized, the children fail to get the required support and they are plunged into emotional problems. They require the need for both physical as well as emotional support. As the children failed to get that emotional support, many developed PSTD symptoms as an aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. (Judith et, al, 2005).  Summary of 9/11 Attacks September 11, 2001 can be declared unanimously as the day when the world’s most powerful economy. US experienced unprecedented shock and suffering. It was a day in which the most unimaginable events unfolded furiously over 102 minutes and completely exposed the country’s vulnerability to the Islamic extremists. On this day there was a series of four coordinated suicide attacks upon United States in New York and the Washington DC area. On Tuesday morning 19 terrorists belonging to the Islamic terrorist group al Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets. Armed with small knives and pepper sprays these hijackers turned the airplanes into deadly guided missiles. American Airlines Flight 11 and 175 left Logan Airport at different timings for Los Angeles. Minutes after the take off, it was hijacked by the terrorists on board those flights and they took control over the plane. Both the planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. When the first plane crashed many thought it to be a pilot error. However, sixteen minutes later the crash of the second plane, Flight 175, into the south tower with greater speed confirmed the people’s worst fear. American Airlines Flight 77 left Dulles for Los Angeles. However, after its departure it again headed towards Washington and crashed at a high speed into the west side of the Pentagon. The fourth flight, United Airlines Flight 93 left Newark and its destination was San Francisco. This plane was also turned towards Washington for the next target. However due to the heroic efforts of the passengers in this flight the forth target was missed. The fourth plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It was believed that this plane was heading for the White House. All the aircrafts contained huge gallons of fuel, so when they crashed against the buildings the impact was equivalent to bomb explosion. The attack led to the loss of several human lives. Osama bin Laden of al Qaeda claimed responsibility of the work. (9-11 Commission, 2004) Psychological impact A disaster of any type has a lot of traumatic effects on large number of people and this has posed a new challenge to the psychotherapeutic community at large. Those who went through the horrors of the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina had psychological scars lingering in the form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms under this were nightmares, troubles in concentrating, flashbacks, and difficulties in relationships. An unprecedented uncertainty regarding the safety of the United States were created after the events of September 11, 2001. The attacks resulted in the development of different type of psychological dilemma among the people. It even included those people who were not residents of New York or Washington DC. (Silver, 2011). Most people developed mistrust against the government. People felt that the government could have avoided the problem. Prior to the attack many people had issues of racism but post the attack it exacerbated. As a result intolerance towards Islamic people increased. This growing hatred resulted in attacks on Muslims and an ever-increasing rift. The attacks on the World Trade Centre also showed how the people jumped to their death from high floors. Survivors of the attack often suffered from the guilt of survival.   Availability of Resources for the Victims Whenever a disaster strikes the question that arises is what possible steps can be taken to prevent it in future (Birkland, 2006). Following the September 11, 2011 attacks there was a massive reorganization in the federal government so as to prevent any further disaster. There was a demand for a department, which will look into domestic security. To meet this demand Homeland Security was established. The FBI also had new focus, which comprised of counter terrorism. Huge funds were allotted to introduce measures to reduce it. “terrorist threat integration system” was started so as to have a full information on any terrorist activity. Further there was the initiation of the Patriotic Act. This act increased the police power and they can have access to terrorist survey. (9-11 commission, 2004) The greatest attack on humanity elicited a huge response of local emergency. After the attacks the local, state, and federal agency took part in the rescue and recovery effort. Minutes after the first plane struck the north tower firefighters from New York City Fire Department rushed to the spot. In spite of failing radio communications the firefighters tried to save as many people they could. Coastguards, maritime industry, and local boat owners took their boats to the spot and helped in the evacuation. They also carried supplies and water with them. It proved beneficial as the collapse of the North Tower severed the downtown water mains. Many people were evacuated through the waterway. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) were there to look after the injured.   Role of Red Cross and FEMA The Red Cross, which is a nongovernmental organization, had played an active role in helping the victims immediately after the attacks. They had worked together and had helped the victims. When the disaster struck and one month after it the Red Cross continued to serve food to the people. They had even conducted mental health interactions. More volunteers were recruited by them to serve the people. (Remembering 9/11, 2011). Red Cross had also collected huge amount of donation, which they had declared that they would spent it on the victims. FEMA’s initial response to the disaster was quite impressive. Immediately rescue teams were sent to monitor the progress. Sniffer dogs were taken and cameras were fitted to search for the survivors (Atkins, 2004, p83). The response of FEMA in case of fund distribution came under the scanner for they were very slow in it. There was lack of coordination between the charities and FEMA while providing benefits to the residents. In fact, the charities were quicker than FEMA. (Dixon & Stern, 2011, p178)  Long-term effects The attacks on 9/11 had left marks even a decade later since its occurrence. If fear and insecurity haunted the residents of US then, now also it exists. The most immediate long-term impact of the attacks was the development of PSTD symptoms. It assumed a chronic form in case of those poor sections of the society who lacks access to mental health treatment (Tull, 2008). After the attacks there was considerable decrease in air travel. This phobia was not only limited to the US but also across many other countries. Impact on children The incidents of 9/11 had a profound impact on the children. As they belong to the vulnerable section of the society hence they were the most affected. Most of the young children were having psychological problems and often developed PTSD symptoms (Neria, 2006, p75). The children who had survived often go through flashbacks and guilt of survival. Those children who were not directly involved in it through the electronic media were exposed to it. The innocence of these children got fractured. Role of Media The benign role of media is indispensable in the modern world. Under this situation they certainly have a very important role to play. The continuous coverage of media on Hurricane Katrina certainly brought its severity to the whole world. On the flip side it also unleashed the horrors of the hurricane and created a deep psychological impact on people. Continuous viewing of the coverage made people and children prone to the development of PSTD symptoms (Children’s responses to Hurricane Katrina, n.d). The devastation cannot be reduced but media coverage on efforts by governments towards rebuilding perhaps would have given the people a greater sense of security. In case of 9/11 the media had once again brought the world closer and everyone witnessed the greatest attack on humanity. However constant viewing of the attacks had resulted in the development of psychological problems among the viewers. Conclusion Two disasters of different type had destroyed humanity and amalgamated them into one. The 9/11 attacks were manmade disaster but in spite of having a prior warning of a possible attack nothing were done to prevent it. Lack of quick governmental action and critical thinking resulted in the loss of life of many. Four years later Hurricane Katrina’s potential impact on New Orleans was known but not much was done. The result was loss of human lives. Both the disasters shares the same psychological impacts and even years later it echoes in the minds of those who survived.   BIBLIOGRAPHY 9/11 commission, (n.d), Final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, retrieved on September 14th 2011 from http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report_Exec.htm Atkins, E.S. (2011), The 9/11 Encylopedia.Santa, Barbara: ABC-CLI0 Birkland, A.T (2006), Lessons of Disaster, press, retrieved on September 14th, 2011, from: http://www.press.georgetown.edu/book/georgetown/lessons-disaster Carley, C. (2006), Emotional scars still haunt Katrina survivors, NPR, retrieved on September 14, 2011 from   http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5485268 Chandra, A. 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