14. Short-term & Long-term responses
Short-term responses
A. Searching and rescuing casualties and recovery of people
People trapped under collapsed buildings are quickly located and freed.
The success is that this will allow survivors who are found after being trapped in the buildings without food to be saved. For example, after the earthquake in Tohoku, Japan in 2011, sniffer dogs and heat sensors were deployed and successfully rescued many who were trapped.
However, the limitation is that there is limited time to save people (about 72 hours or 3 days) because without food and water, people who are trapped are unlikely to survive after 3 days. For example, rescue workers had a limited time of 3 days to rapidly search through 2 towns after the earthquake in Tohoku in 2011.
B. Providing medical aid, food and water
This helps survivors cope with the disaster like the injured being treated and clean drinking water provided for them to prevent dehydration and the spread of diseases.
·The success is that the provision of immediate aid helps survivors to continue with their lives. For example, after the earthquake in Afyon in 2002, the Turkish Red Crescent Society immediately responded by delivering 20 000 tents, 50 000 blankets and 3000 heaters to the region.
However, the limitation is that the supplies may not be sufficient and countries may not have the means to provide extensive aid thus causing social unrest. For example, after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, looting and fighting broke out as people fought for food and medical supplies
Published on Feb 7, 2016
A massive rescue operation is underway in southern Taiwan after the earthquake that hit the city of Tainan in Feb 2016.At least 12 people have been killed and more than 100 people were missing.
Published on Apr 30, 2015
Police officials in Nepal have given the latest death toll from the deadly earthquake which struck in 2015 as 5,489. 11-thousand people are known to have been injured. Nepal's Home Affairs Ministry says that over 450-thousand people are living in temporary accommodation. Some 2 million people are seriously affected in the worst-hit quake zones, with food and water running at dangerously low, or zero levels in many places. Tents and medicines are also still badly needed. The Nepalese government and military have set up over 20 makeshift shelters for people who've fled their homes. The UN says around eight million people in 39 districts have been affected by the quake -- more than a quarter of Nepal's population. Helicopters have been dropping tents, dry food and medicine, but are still yet to reach some isolated communities.
The Turkey-Syria Earthquake on 6 Feb 2023 has resulted in total death toll of more than 46,000 (as at 20 Feb 2023)
How effective are the short term responses?
Many countries, including Singapore, sent rescue teams.
Long-term responses
A. Rebuild Infrastructure
Infrastructure and amenities are rebuilt and improved upon after a disaster.
The success is that authorities can develop stricter building codes to ensure infrastructure is restored at a higher safety level than before. For example, after the earthquake in Kobe, Japan in 1995, Japan spent billions developing technology to build more earthquake-resistant buildings.
However, the limitation is that reinforced building built to protect against earthquakes, are not necessarily protected against tsunamis. Additional protection such as breakwaters needed. For example, many of Chile’s building are earthquake-resistant, the coastal areas suffered massive damage from a tsunamis when an earthquake struck in 2010.
B. Provision of health care
Health care such as long-term counselling are provided as the loss of loved ones, homes or jobs after earthquakes cause long-lasting trauma,
The success is that the problems can be identified and addressed early. For example, a year after the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2011, significant problems of anxiety and depression were identified amongst the affected population. This resulted in a greater number of health workers being deployed in the area.
However, the limitation is that the provision of health care, such as restoring the resilience of people after an earthquake, can be very challenging. For example, many survivors such as those in Haiti, continue to lack access to basic necessities after the earthquake in 2010.
Published on May 17, 2015
In this special report, BBC journalists spent a day hearing from those who have been affected by the Nepal earthquake in a city trying to get back on its feet.
Short term responses are immediate and would save many more people through the search and rescue as well as providing the necessities for survival. If the people were not given help immediately they would not have survived and the long term responses would not have helped them.
Why is it difficult for LDC, such as Indonesia, to respond to natural disasters such as the recent earthquakes at Lombok as well the eruption of Anak Krakatoa which triggered a tsunamis?
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/video-on-demand/insight/living-with-disasters-11166642
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