When Governments are unprepared, victims suffer twice

By Peter Ramsaroop

Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example of the consequences of an ill-prepared response system.

The citizens of New Orleans were first victims of a natural disaster, and then they were made to suffer again as victims of the government agency charged to respond to such disasters, but which unscrupulously ignored all of the warning signs of impending disaster.

The result was a great loss of precious life, homes washed away by the waters and businesses destroyed. The destruction was so complete that whole neighbourhoods were completely washed away and will never be restored to their former glory.

There are children who watched as a parent was swept away in the torrent and parents who lost their children as the hungry waves swallowed them. These people will never be the same. They will suffer physically, mentally and economically for decades to come.

All of this suffering could have been circumvented had the government seriously considered the counsel of the local officials in New Orleans who repeatedly warned of the catastrophic impact a severe hurricane could have on the city because, due to the dams and levees, it was sinking lower and lower below sea level every year.

The failure to move people out of harm's way beforehand left tens of thousands stranded in the path of a vile storm. Afterwards, the reaction time for rescuing these victims was extremely slow and, when action did finally take place, it was far too little considering the vast number of lives that were abandoned in a flooded city without food or water.

Will Guyana follow this dreadful example, or will we learn from it?

With an abundance of worldwide natural disasters this year, it would behove of every government to test their disaster preparedness strategies – that is, if they have one. Which causes one to wonder what type of strategy Guyana has for such disasters.

We haven't been short on our own natural disasters this year. We started this year with flooding and, as the year nears its end, we are dealing with even more floods. Our seawalls are failing and homes are being overcome by the waves.

And what would happen if the so-called Bird Flu does in fact evolve to the point of human transmission? If Guyana is not prepared, we could die by the thousands just like the birds all over Asia and Europe . The government does seem to be taking this situation seriously, though whether we are equipped to handle it is still to be determined.

It seems the international community at large is taking a second look at their own ability to be prepared for catastrophic events.

The US reported this week that they are even taking a second look at how well equipped they are to handle a large-scale earthquake in California . Seismologists have been forecasting a significant earthquake for some time, therefore the federal government cannot say they were not warned of impending disaster.

Further the US government cannot afford another blundered response in the face of disaster, so they are taking the necessary steps to avoid another such disastrous situation. Hurricane Katrina was a wake-up call for the US that has changed their approach to disaster preparedness.

The subsequent Hurricane Rita proved that the US had learnt their lesson and every possible measure was taken to protect the lives of those in the path of the storm.

This is the same type of proactive initiative that all countries – yes, even the smaller and poorer countries like Guyana - should employ.

After a thorough assessment of past disasters and the likelihood of future catastrophes, Guyana needs to anticipate every form of calamity, be it a natural disaster or otherwise, and take the necessary steps to ensure the ongoing safety of its citizens.

A Crisis Management Plan should be in place that can be initiated in a moment's notice should disaster strike.As is obvious from current events in Pakistan and the US , it is vital to have a plan in place that will provide a quick and tailored response for each possible calamity.

Another wise step would be to create and distribute a readiness document detailing what steps should be taken by the citizens during the most probable disasters, which in our case is most likely a significant flood.

The document should specify the dangers that should be avoided in a given situation, such as driving in moving water or being near to electrical outlets.

A list of supplies should also be included to help victims who might be stranded without access to food or water for several days.

If a family is stranded in their home and waiting for rescue, a ready supply of food and water will help assure their survival.

A solid and reliable infrastructure plays an integral role in being prepared for any disaster as well.

By shoring up our seawalls, having a sewer system that is capable of moving water quickly, and introducing a pump system that could drive the water back out of the city and residential areas, we can prepare now for the preservation of life in the unknown future.

There is no reason why an entire country should be flying by the seat of our pants when it comes to predictable disasters. Being prepared can save money on property damage, but more importantly it can save lives. A car can be replaced and a home can be rebuilt, but a life lost can never be replaced.

This is all pertinent information applicable to future preparation; however our most pressing issue right now is to help those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the floods. Those families need a safe place to stay until they can get their lives back together.

There are people right here in our own country who have lost everything. There are men, women and children who have no place to call home any more. Our hearts go out to these people. They are not distant victims of a ravaging storm, they are Guyanese – they are our people. We need to reach out and help them.

The numerous jaded hearts of our country sometimes find it easier to care for a distant soul in misery than to be bothered with our neighbour next door. This ought not to be. We need to take care of each other and extend a loving arm of help and aid when Guyanese are hurting.

With this in mind, I propose that we start a fund to provide assistance to the victims of this recent flooding. They will need clothes and food immediately, but long-term aid should include whatever it takes to rebuild the homes and lives of our fellow countrymen and women.

We can all give at least a small amount to help others who have lost everything. If I promise to do my part and you promise to do your part, the victims of this flood can return to their normal lives as quickly as possible.