Each student will respond to 2 of the group presentations addressing the following components:
1. Key take aways (challenges, strengths, significant data that impacted you).
2. Consider the FEMA mission as it relates to natural disaster relief. What types of disaster could impact the country reviewed and what organizations might respond?
Include 1 reference to support your response.
Response to Group Presentations: Haiti and Japan
1. Key Takeaways
From the presentation on Haiti, one key takeaway was the extreme vulnerability the country faces due to its geographic location in a hurricane-prone region and its socio-economic instability. A significant challenge discussed was the lack of infrastructure and poor emergency preparedness systems, which made the 2010 earthquake especially devastating. I was struck by the data showing that over 220,000 lives were lost, and more than 1.5 million people were displaced. A strength, however, was the resilience of the Haitian people and the coordinated response efforts from international organizations like the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the United Nations.
In the Japan presentation, a major highlight was the country’s advanced disaster preparedness systems and strong government coordination. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, while catastrophic, showcased Japan’s robust early warning systems and strict building codes that minimized greater loss of life. Significant data included the $360 billion in damages—the costliest natural disaster in history—and the long-term impact of the Fukushima nuclear crisis. A strength emphasized was Japan’s public education on disaster preparedness and the technological innovations used in both response and recovery.
2. FEMA’s Mission and Potential Disasters
FEMA’s mission is “to help people before, during, and after disasters,” focusing on preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. While FEMA does not directly assist other nations, its principles are reflected in global partnerships and mutual aid agreements.
In Haiti, disasters likely to occur include hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding. In such cases, organizations like the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and USAID would likely respond, alongside regional disaster response agencies.
For Japan, the greatest risks are earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions. Domestic agencies like Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) and the Self-Defense Forces play key roles, while international support could come from the World Health Organization (WHO) or UNISDR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) in coordinating global best practices and relief efforts.
These presentations emphasized that although the nature and frequency of disasters vary, a nation’s capacity to respond and recover is largely determined by its infrastructure, preparedness planning, and collaboration with international organizations.
Reference
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2021). About the agency. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.fema.gov/about
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