(Student Name)
Disaster Management
Mitigation is the prevention of a disaster from happening. The world has for some time witnessed a recent increase in natural disasters. Among the worst striking disasters are earthquakes. Among these is the famous Haiti earthquake in 2010 which occurred in Haiti with an epicenter near the Léogâne town, 25 km west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The quake had a Richter scale of 7 magnitudes, one of the strongest earthquakes in the history of mankind. Mitigation as a process of disaster management has played a crucial role in prevention and reduction of the effects of disasters in the world today (Leonard, 2007). Therefore, its pertinence cannot be overlooked.
Having killed more than 220,000 people and affecting over 3.5million people, mitigation responses played a very crucial role in helping resolve the humanitarian crisis in the time (Romero et al., 2011). At the initial stage of the earthquake, many people reacted through rushing to safe places, outside in the open where no collapsing houses would hit them. There was a dash to salvage whatever was savable. Many countries, NGOs, individuals and humanitarian philanthropists amassed all the aid they could to assist in restoring calm. The city was blocked in debris which hindered movement. There was use of heavy machinery in moving and clearing streets for access. This ensured that evacuation activities of families were fastened hence reducing the death toll and saving lives. Evacuation therefore was one of the mitigation measures that played a vital role in absolving the crisis.
In the mantle of the earthquake the Haitian government, assisted by other countries responded quickly with provision of medical aid and evacuation from the disaster prone areas. The medical assistance played a big role in preventing loss of lives. Many people were reported to have lost their lives in events that they could not reach access to early medication. Treatment was offered by the USA army and Japanese government plus numerous other countries rallied behind in support of the course of the Haitians (Romero et al., 2010). Food aid was also disbursed from different sources, the UNEP, WFP and other stakeholders also contributed towards the feeding of the affected families. There was also the problem of housing since most structures had been shattered by the earthquake. Temporary housing was also provided, with the Canadian government also being part of the major contributors towards the restoration of a state balanced situation in Haiti (The New York Times, 2011).
The various methods of disaster mitigation measures taken during the earthquake ensured a reduction in humanitarian crisis in Haiti. There massive saving of lives through the program that were implemented. With thousands of schools destroyed and shattered, learning was crippled. Teachers and about 184000 civil servants lost their lives during the disaster. This therefore meant a reduced manpower and national income was definitely affected. National production and GDPs of a country is normally affected by natural disasters like this one (AACE, 2006). The UN, with its special envoy George Bush, pledged to contribute funds to help in resolving and rebuilding the destroyed property in Haiti (Romero et al., 2010). There was aid of medical workers, vaccination and offer of proper Medicare. This prevented the spread of diseases and eventual death. Life support mechanisms were drawn to help the people.
In the post-earthquake period, People were given counseling after the deadly event, hence recovery and recuperation from the memories of the sad events was fastened. The measures here ensured a resumption of a normal life by the civilians and citizenry of the country.
The mitigation measures that were implemented went a notch high in helping reduce the number of deaths in the country. There was also the advent of more serious disaster preparedness in the country after the earthquake. For instance, the government of Haiti embarked on a more full-fledged disaster preparedness program that will oversee it respond in time before damages are exceeded control. There was also structural mitigation measures that resulted due experience of the earthquake. Structural engineering of building was now closely monitored, with the adoption of a more earthquake friendly structure that absorbs the shattering force on buildings thus preventing easy collapse. The mechanisms that were put in place have advantages that cannot be quantified. Some of them include; reduction in the loss of lives of citizens, minimal property damage, inventory of new structural engineering, increased sense of company of the people, reduction in the prevalence of low employee esteem, and general resumption from the aftermaths of the disaster (FEMA, 1996). All these are a clear manifestation of the role that mitigation played in restoration of normalcy in Haiti in the destructive 2010 earthquake.
In conclusion, mitigation is a very vital process in the restoration of normalcy in the event of a disaster such as the one expostulated above. It is a process of preventing or trying to reduce the effects of a disaster, and in this course, the Haitian experience was an ear- opener to many governments and countries in the world. It has led to a more spirited outlook on methods and solutions to preventing possible disasters and ways of safeguarding the citizens. It is important therefore that we adopt a more friendly approach that is easily awakened in times of need. This will prevent loss of life and destruction of property.
References
Economic benefit of natural disaster mitigation. (2006). AACE International Transactions, (15287106), AD51-AD53. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208194241?accountid=45049
Leonard, J. (2007). Comprehensive disaster management and development: The role of Mitigation in Disaster Management. Pittsburg: University of Pittsburg. Pp. 34-56
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (1996). Report on Cost and Benefits of Natural Disaster Management. Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program. USA:FEMA. Retrieved from. http://www.wikipedia.org//
Romero L., Simon R., Lacey J., & Marc, B. (2010). Government Struggles to Exhume Itself. New York: The New York Times. 2011
