'Stopping a disaster from becoming a crisis' - editorial

by Unni Krishnan

The massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan should serve as a wake-up call to governments across the globe as well as donors. Within hours of the earthquake striking Japan, 53 countries went on Tsunami alert. What can complicate this unfolding crisis is the potential damage and fallout from nuclear reactors in Japan.The country has declared a “nuclear emergency” at an atomic plant north of Tokyo after cooling systems failed following its biggest recorded earthquake in the country.

The Japanese prime minister has stressed that no radiation has leaked from the facility. But residents living within three kilometres of the plant were being evacuated by the military, and those within 10 kilometres told to stay in their homes.

Three types of disasters have been recurring and dominating the news in recent years: earthquakes (and subsequent tsunamis), perennial floods, and typhoons and hurricanes. Droughts and food insecurity are other challenges, but don’t hit headlines most of the time. There is a pattern and predictability to some of these disasters, except perhaps in the case of earthquakes. The world has advanced technology and knowledge available as to when some of these disasters are going to happen and where, and to a great extent how to deal with them. Well, we may not be able stop a disaster from happening, but we can very well stop a disaster from becoming a humanitarian crisis.

And of course we know who will be the worst affected in these disasters. It is always the poorest. A majority of developing countries do not have the infrastructure and housing to withstand earthquakes or fires. Earthquakes don’t kill people, bad buildings do. Grinding poverty and climate change only multiply and worsen the effects of disasters. Finally it is always the vulnerable groups like children who bear the brunt of these disasters the most. Plan International knows this all too well from its experience working with children and communities for the last 70 years.

The world should now be improving its ability and capacity to save lives, protect assets and livelihood. Unfortunately, the recent experiences show that the good intentions many say they have to save lives are not being translated into practical actions. There are efforts to address this, but they no way match the actual needs on the ground.

The 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 the 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 disasters risk reduction and preparedness as key area for investment. What we know from experience is a rupee 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.

No two disasters are the same. 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 by a generation.

Comparative analysis of disasters and their impact in the developing world and developed countries reveals 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.

Role of 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 the 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 elements if we are to avoid the potential devastating impact 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.

Unni Krishnan is Disaster Response Policy Coordinator for Plan International.