A disaster typically presents a community with the inability to cope without the assistance of outside sources. The political and economic impact on a community is enormous. Without funding, communities would not survive disasters.
Political Impact of Disasters
Political disruption in a community can occur as a result of a disaster. Disruption in politics can result from social activism and other sources of community conflict. Social activism can arise as victims of the disaster may feel additional victimization by a conflict of the goals of recovery by citizens and government. Citizens may seek collective action to address their grievances. Other sources of community conflict may result from the reduction of the quality of life of community residents due to the loss of their homes, schools and businesses. Housing becomes limited and inconvenient, and rebuilding funding and quality are questionable.
Economic Impact of Disasters
There may be direct and indirect economic impact . The direct economic impact of disasters is numerous. A disaster causes significant property damage in a community. The economic impact consists of the cost to repair and replace the damage, and the loss of consumption and investment . When businesses, private homes, and government properties are damaged or destroyed, the total value of the loss is difficult to measure because tracking of data is either not centralized or not recorded.
indirect economic impact results due to the interdependence of the community. Individual citizens in the community put money into the community through the purchase of goods and services. The money the citizens use to pay out is received from wages from the employer businesses in the community. Similarly, businesses pay for its employees and suppliers that are in the community . This relationship to the community by the citizens and businesses is indirect. Yet, it is also substantial to the community’s economy.
Funding for Community Disasters
There are many sources of funding for communities that have experienced a disaster. Funding is available on the local, state and national levels. Three of the available sources include the Community Disaster Loan Program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program and the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance. Each of these agencies have provided disaster assistance to communities that have experienced disaster and are currently available for the funding of future disasters.
The Community Disaster Loan Program is available for local governments recovering from a disaster. The program is intended to assist local governments in the continued performance of its local functions. The office of the governor must apply for this assistance and it cannot exceed $5 million. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program is a source of funding available to communities for disaster relief if the President declares the area a disaster. The funding is available to local governments, states, tribes and nonprofit organizations. The funding can assist in the repair and restoration of the damaged area which may include building as well as other infrastructures and include roads, waterways and bridges. The Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Program offers Business Physical Disaster Loans. These loans can be utilized for the repair and replacement of property that has been damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster. The loans are available in amount up to $2 million dollars. Businesses of any size as well as nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for these disaster loans.
Conclusion
A disaster typically presents a community with the inability to cope without the assistance of outside sources. Besides the through resources listed above, there are numerous others. Funding can assist a community in recovery and address the political and economic impact of the disaster.
References
Lindell, M., & Prater, C. (2003). Assessing Community Impacts of Natural Disasters. Natural Hazards Review, 4(4), 176-185.
Small Business Administration Loans Available to Water and Wastewater Utilities. (2015). Retrieved from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/fedfunds/small-business-administration-loans-available-water-and-wastewater-utilities
