Disaster Relief Aid PDF
Preview Disaster Relief Aid
BIMAL KANTI PAUL DISASTER RELIEF AID CHANGES & CHALLENGES Disaster Relief Aid Bimal Kanti Paul Disaster Relief Aid Changes and Challenges Bimal Kanti Paul Kansas State University Manhattan, KS, USA ISBN 978-3-319-77281-3 ISBN 978-3-319-77282-0 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77282-0 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018939713 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2019 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover credit: PJF Military Collection/Alamy Stock Photo Printed on acid-free paper This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer International Publishing AG part of Springer Nature The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland For those powerless in marginalized groups often denied disaster assistance. Foreword Around 400 disaster events kill more than 100,000 people every year, with another 120 million people being directly affected. The interna- tional community annually spends $25 billion addressing these events which include floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones, wildfire, and similar. On a daily basis, people and communities have their lives taken or destroyed in catastrophic events that humans have little control over. Each night on our evening news, images are shared of buildings col- lapsed, farmlands cracked and parched, rivers swollen, or trees stripped of foliage by fierce winds. Throughout of all this, we see heroic efforts of people digging to free those trapped, feeding those that are starving, giving comfort to those who are bereft, or burying those that have been killed. Our experience of and response to these disasters is a common human experience and has been throughout our entire history. Experiences of disasters have long been (and continues to be for many) understood in terms of “destiny” or “acts of God” that we have little control over. We simply endure these events as our lot in life. Indeed, it was not until the middle of the eighteenth century that philosophers, such as Voltaire and Rousseau, began to conceive dis- asters as the confluence between natural events and human activity. vii viii Foreword On November 1, 1755, the great European city of Lisbon was devas- tated by a massive earthquake, tsunami, and fire. Estimates of those killed in the immediate aftermath of these events range between 10,000 and 100,000. However, the effects of this devastation were felt for many more years with long-term social, political, and economic ramifications resulting. In correspondence, Voltaire and Rousseau argued that such devastation could not be part of God’s plan, nor could human activity (in this instance, overcrowded cities and poor planning) be ignored in understanding the effects of such natural events. In this manner, natu- ral disasters came to be understood as outcomes arising from the nexus between the natural and human. As such, it was feasible that they could be planned for and in some regard, mitigated or have some vulnerability minimized. By gaining this philosophical “control” over disasters, it was not unexpected that human responses in the aftermath of future natural events began to become increasingly organized as lessons were learned and resources to respond became more significant. At the same time, the slow but progressive process of globalization meant that news of dis- asters in one region or country become known more quickly in other parts of the world thus resulting in cross-border relief efforts increas- ingly occurring. Indeed, specific organizations were established with the primary purpose of providing support and resources to affected commu- nities in both their own countries but also internationally. It was in this manner that the humanitarian sector was formed. What drove these local and then, increasingly, international efforts was a desire to respond to human suffering. This humanitarian spirit (often linked explicitly to religious beliefs) underscored both the raising of funds and the enacting of responses. Over time, this humanitarian spirit became firmly entrenched alongside concepts of neutrality, impar- tiality, and independence in defining and guiding these humanitarian responses. Throughout much of the history of humanitarian assistance, efforts to respond were led by volunteers, either those that dedicated their full-time efforts to such activities or those that were moved by indi- vidual events to offer their services in an ad hoc basis. While necessary Foreword ix and desirable, more recently though there has been a recognition that affected communities require more than good intentions in response. If the international community is to raise and expend tens of billions of dollars each year, then a level of professionalization is required to deliver effective, efficient, and appropriate responses that are locally appropri- ate and ideally, locally led. During the 1990s, standards were developed and adopted by the humanitarian sector in order to ensure more pro- fessional and accountable responses. The “Sphere Project” sets out the minimum standards which aid agencies responding to disasters should meet in planning and implementing their responses across a wide range of sectors, including health, education, sanitation, nutrition, and so forth. These standards were developed through aid agencies r eflecting on their own practices and analysis of their own monitoring and evaluation. Improving responses to disasters though also have resulted from care- ful research and analysis by academics interested in better understand- ing the nature of these disasters and how they are addressed, which brings us to this highly valuable book by Professor Bimal Paul. It is not unreasonable (nor unexpected) that humanitarian practitioners are focused on the immediate challenge of providing humanitarian assis- tance in circumstances of great pressure and stress. Their work, with- out exaggeration, is often a matter of life and death. Decisions they make immediately affect those who are the most vulnerable. Within this maelstrom of high demands, limited resources and tight time con- straints, reflection and consideration of long-term trends and assessment of activities are a relegated priority. Yet, such consideration is vital in ensuring humanitarian assistance evolves and results in the most opti- mal outcomes as possible. It is therefore the work of researchers, such as Professor Paul, that is core to the ongoing professionalization of the humanitarian sector. By utilizing an historical approach, Professor Paul is able to clearly map out the evolution of humanitarian responses and discuss the rapid “democratization” of disasters through the advent of social media. Such sharing of stories and needs has shortened the time between event and response, but also provided communities with new ways to seek x Foreword assistance as well as provide immediate criticism where such assistance is less than satisfactory. Social media has also shaped the financial response of donors, both private and public. Understanding aid flows to disasters is very necessary for those seeking to maximize the resources they are able to access to deliver relief that is more comprehensive in terms of interventions funded or individuals reached. Drawing on a range of case studies, Professor Paul provides clear insights and lessons on what are the main factors that result in disaster response being more or less effective. Again, in the immediate face of disasters, such analysis is crucial to improving humanitarian assistance. Indeed, it is the final chapter in this volume that is the greatest contri- bution. A range of challenges are recommendations that are made with the primary purpose of improving future responses. Professor Paul’s book is a very positive contribution to this field of humanitarian assistance. While there is increasing academic research in this field, it still remains under-considered in comparison with longer- term community development activities. More analysis is required and this volume signals a valuable addition. Drawing on a career-long inter- est in disaster and relief aid, this carefully constructed, well researched, and clearly written book pulls together a substantial amount of knowl- edge and expertise. This book will be read carefully by donors, aid agen- cies, and local community-based organizations. Over the past nearly four years, my own academic institution has provided academic and professional training to nearly 400 humanitar- ian managers and leaders from across the globe. These dedicated and highly experienced professionals have responded to some of the world’s most devastating disasters over the last three decades. Their actions have saved lives and allowed affected communities rebuild in the face of enormous hardship. During the course of their study, we ask them to reflect on their experiences and draw on this knowledge in their future responses. This volume provides a template for such analysis and will resonate with their own professional journey. This volume is a valuable contribution to a field of study mired in the humanitarian spirit. This volume is well overdue and adds a considerable Foreword xi degree to our understanding of disasters and relief aid. As someone whose own research occurs in countries that are vulnerable to disaster events, I am personally grateful that this volume as the lessons it con- tains will enhance the humanitarian assistance provided by aid agencies. Geelong, Australia Professor Matthew Clarke February 2018 The Centre for Humanitarian Leadership Deakin University
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