The Next Big One
BusinessWeek's latest issue runs a what-if scenario on potential disasters for Americans, and produces a dire warning on the outcomes unless risk mitigation efforts are stepped up. The New Orleans disaster hasn't played out the worse economic scenario for the nation -- although the human impact is quite the opposite. I guess that's to be expected, since the worse hit has been the poor. The relationship between governments has certainly taken a beating -- so much so, that Bush admitted responsibility for the slow response -- which is something a leader is supposed to do, although I question his motives. What is the lesson to be learned from the disaster? America -- and by extension, just about every other country in the world -- needs to plan for disasters.
There are enough dire warnings of impending doom, yet we keep ignoring them. Not just the government, but the public, who hold governments accountable for their actions. Communication and operational silos need to be fixed. The world has become a smaller place and everything and everybody is now within reach of each other -- that includes the ones bearing bombs with intent to cause a disaster -- and those unwitting carriers of diseases. As BusinessWeek points out, the problem isn't as overwhelming as you would believe. For one thing, preparing to respond for one disaster, pretty much prepares you for most disasters. The governments need to take a lead in this action, since much of the primary infrastructure of developed nations, and increasingly, poorer countries, are falling into the hands of the private sector, who's primary motivation is profits -- short term gains, based on just-in-time efficiency and zero inventory.
BusinessWeek advises that focus should be placed on power, water, acute-care facilities, and response-and-recovery capabilities. Governments need to take a lead to pay for redundancy in the primary infrastructure; prioritize spending; and make organizations work, instead of being dysfunctional. In America, 9/11 had a $70 billion economic impact. New Orleans is expected to come in around $200 billion. Future disasters, such as earthquakes, pandemics and terrorism could be worse in the lives they take and economic impact.
Related reading:
There are enough dire warnings of impending doom, yet we keep ignoring them. Not just the government, but the public, who hold governments accountable for their actions. Communication and operational silos need to be fixed. The world has become a smaller place and everything and everybody is now within reach of each other -- that includes the ones bearing bombs with intent to cause a disaster -- and those unwitting carriers of diseases. As BusinessWeek points out, the problem isn't as overwhelming as you would believe. For one thing, preparing to respond for one disaster, pretty much prepares you for most disasters. The governments need to take a lead in this action, since much of the primary infrastructure of developed nations, and increasingly, poorer countries, are falling into the hands of the private sector, who's primary motivation is profits -- short term gains, based on just-in-time efficiency and zero inventory.
BusinessWeek advises that focus should be placed on power, water, acute-care facilities, and response-and-recovery capabilities. Governments need to take a lead to pay for redundancy in the primary infrastructure; prioritize spending; and make organizations work, instead of being dysfunctional. In America, 9/11 had a $70 billion economic impact. New Orleans is expected to come in around $200 billion. Future disasters, such as earthquakes, pandemics and terrorism could be worse in the lives they take and economic impact.
Related reading:
Natural Disasters: Protecting the Public's Health
Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations [PDF]
A proactive look at the world conference on disaster reduction [PDF]
Oxfam Guidelines for Water Treatment in Emergencies [PDF]
Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations [PDF]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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