Massive earthquake that struck Japan should serve as a wake-up call to governments across the globe, as well as donors, Plan International's Disaster Response Unit coordinator says
NEW DELHI (AlertNet) - The massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan should serve as a wake-up call to governments across the globe, as well as donors, Plan International’s Disaster Response Unit coordinator says.
The disaster has caused widespread devastation in Japan -- including a nuclear emergency—and its impact has been felt in several countries around the world.
Earthquakes, tsunamis, perennial floods, typhoons, droughts and hurricanes are all becoming increasingly common and while advanced technology has helped us deal with them, we can still do more to stop a disaster from becoming a humanitarian crisis.
Unni Krishnan, Plan International’s Disaster Response Policy Coordinator speaks about preparing better and staying safer.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Local communities will always remain the first responders, so we need to prepare and equip them for dealing with disasters. Only a very few lives are rescued by internationally deployed teams during massive disasters. The role of local communities, especially children and youth, in saving lives during those first few hours after a disaster are critical.
Plan works with children and communities to devise the best ways they can protect themselves from the worst when a disaster strikes. We start by asking children to identify the kinds of disasters that happen most frequently in their area or country and the factors that amplify their vulnerabilities. We then help them to identify a plan of action around the likely disasters. This approach has saved lives.
MONEY MATTERS
Planners and governments in most developing countries are yet to take up disaster risk reduction and preparedness as key area for investment. What we know from experience is a pound invested is a thousand saved. We need governments and donors to start digging deep and investing money in disaster preparedness now. And this needs long term commitment. Disaster risk reduction and response is not a hundred metre sprint. It is a marathon race.
TARGETTED INVESTMENT
Disasters impact different communities differently. Poor people pay a heavy price. Poverty multiplies disaster suffering.
Zoom your camera to Haiti where the earthquake in 2010 left over 240,000 dead and turned the development clock back by a generation. Comparative analysis of disasters and their impact in the developing world and developed countries reveal stark contrasts.
It is not a question of how strong the tremor was or how strong the hurricane winds are, but where and in which
communities disasters strike. Targeted investment to tackle poverty is key to breaking the vicious cycle of disasters.
THE MEDIA
The media needs to play a more interactive role in informing and educating communities. While entertainment and news are needed, the ability of the media to educate and empower people is not being harnessed.
While media could play a role in boosting preparedness measures, it can play an equally important role in informing
children and families about their entitlements and rights.
Governments often come out with series of relief measures in the wake of a disaster, but this information often doesn’t reach affected communities. But we’re not just talking about traditional media, the power of social media is still untapped.
You only have to look at the recent use of this critical medium in Egypt to show how it can empower, inform, connect and
contribute to a discourse.
Connectivity is a life saver in emergencies and aid co-ordination. Appropriate information at the appropriate time
can save lives and empower communities.
WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY?
The challenge of preparing communities and dealing with the aftermath of disasters is primarily a government responsibility, with help and expertise from disaster response teams and humanitarian organisations.
Irrespective of time zone and latitude, countries can learn from each other. Lessons learned from Japan’s disaster need to
be applied to countries around the globe. Debate, commitment and co-operation are key if we are to
avoid the potential devastating impacts of natural disasters that will continue to plague the earth.
No life should be lost in vain. There are lessons to be learnt. It is time to act.
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