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nDisaster response in Haiti

nCatastrophes, emergencies and disasters all signify sudden events that impact negative consequences in a society. Some events may be disasters; others may be emergencies while others may be catastrophes depending on the magnitude of the event. Typically, catastrophes are of a much bigger magnitude than disasters and emergencies (Wex, et, al, 2). Disasters are of less magnitude than catastrophes but are much greater than emergencies. Disasters are events that are atypical and they cause extensive damage, change, disruption and lots of casualties to already vulnerable communities (Wex, et, al, 4). E-infrastructure and technical assistance are necessary for responding to large scale global disasters where the infrastructure has been obliterated.

nDisasters leave communities with very little capacity to operate normally without any assistance from external sources. Emergencies such as house fires and road accidents are more common and when they occur they can be handled by local special agencies (Wex, et, al, 15). Disasters on the other hand cannot be easily predicted as they are sudden and in light of their occurrence response is by international organisations. Emergency/disaster response refers to the coordinating, organizing and directing of the available resources during a disaster in order to respond and bring the disaster/emergency under control (Wex, et, al, 20).

nEmergency response aims to bring back sanity of the situation and to protect the health of the public by curtailing the negative impact of the disaster on the environment and community. With the multiple massive earthquakes, tropical storms and hurricanes Haiti has been/is very vulnerable making the stages of recovery very difficult with each occurrence of a disaster. Participatory approaches regarding disaster recovery and relief are very important (Wex, et, al, 27). Infrastructure damage in the Haiti seriously hampered relief and response. Haiti is a country of very poor economic status in the America region with a large number of the population living under a dollar a day (Margesson, et, al, 17).

nInfrastructure encompasses the simple physical systems a nation or business has; the systems include communication, transportation, sewage, electric and water systems. The systems are high cost but are significant for a nations economic prosperity and development. Telecommunication plays a crucial role in the well-being and health of a society (Wex, et, al, 32). The loss of telecommunication during disasters impedes communication between government, donors, business and individuals. When mediums of telecommunication such as cellular and standard phones, copper, fibre, wireless transmission and computers are destroyed, management and monitoring systems that mitigate disasters are severely affected (Wex, et, al, 32).

nAll disasters categorically cause a breakdown in essential communication networks. Failure of the telecommunications infrastructure causes errors and delays in disaster relief and emergency response efforts often leading to preventable property damage and loss of lives (Margesson, et, al, 45). The risk linked to telecommunication failure persists despite the growing resilience and reliability of communication tools during emergency operations. Prior to the earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010, the countrys airports, highways, roads and ports were already strained from previously occurring natural disasters, coupled with years and years of corruption and poverty (Margesson, et, al, 47).

nThe earthquake in 2010 almost caused a total collapse of the already fragile government system. Roads were extremely blocked, ports were rigorously damaged and the whole state was in utter ruins. Toussaint LOuverture International Airport was severely damaged hence flights to and from the country almost became impossible (Margesson, et, al, 56). With the bridges, roads, ports, buildings and railroads damaged and destroyed and more than 3 million people missing or dead the earthquake affected many zones in Haiti which has a very large population. The alleyways and narrow streets in Haiti were piled with debris and rubble that made the mission of rescue and search teams very difficult (Margesson, et, al, 57).

nThe earthquake had a magnitude of 7.0 and it struck a mile less near the coast of Port-au-Prince which is the capital city of Haiti. The earthquake that struck in January 2010 is among the largest sudden emergency that has ever occurred in the Western hemisphere and it so happened to strike the poorest countries (Patrick, 49). The earthquake caused damage to the houses that were poorly constructed and treasured government buildings. A chasm was created between the knowledge the global humanitarian community were aware before the onset of the earthquake and the actual reality they faced in the earthquakes aftermath (Patrick, 50).

nThe lives of thousands of individuals were at risk and local resources were exhausted and crippled owing to the breakdown of infrastructure. Government leaders were unable to communicate and determine their priority in terms of needs because the magnitude of needs was too much from water, food, shelter, medicine etc. (Margesson, et, al, 47).The resources needed were to arrive within hours in extraordinary amounts irrespective of the infrastructural difficulties presented to ensure no spread of disease and food and water is distributed so there are no fatality cases. As a result of the obliterated infrastructure, rescuers who first tried to respond to the disaster found themselves victims of it. Catastrophic disasters where the infrastructure has been destroyed require a special national response (Patrick, 67).

nWorks cited

nMargesson, Rhoda, and Maureen Taft-Morales. “Haiti earthquake: Crisis and response.” Library of Congress Washington DC Congressional Research Service, 2010.

nPatrick, Jonathan. “Haiti Earthquake Response: Emerging Evaluation Lessons.” Evaluation Insights 1 (2011).

nWex, Felix, et al. “Emergency response in natural disaster management: Allocation and scheduling of rescue units.” European Journal of Operational Research 235.3 (2014): 697-708.