Resources required in effective handling of Disasters
Effective handling of disasters requires combined efforts of the local agencies in the area e.g. public health division, public welfare department, public works department, police and fire departments, public and private hospitals, and Red Cross and civil defense services.
The various agencies that provide resources in a disaster and their work are shown in the following table.
Resources for Readiness
Resource work
Red Cross – provide relief for human suffering in the form of food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and occupational rehabilitation of victims.
Community and local government – clear rubble, maintain law and order, determine the safety of a structure for habitation, repair bridges, safe food and water.
Civil defense services – mobilize the staff and equipment of the Red Cross. Recruit and assign nurses to manage disaster. Provide services, assistance to affected community in the area of health, sanitation, maintaining law and order, fire – fighting, clearing debris, various diseases etc. an emergency planning section at both central and state government level is established; this is also established at the local ministries/ departments like meteorology, environment, health, food supply, transport, housing , finance, etc.
Medical facilities – organize resuscitation and first aid at the site of the disaster, make arrangements for hospitalization, set up blood donation centers, and organize supply and equipment stores.
Contents of civil defense trunks for use at the site of a disaster are as shown in the following table.
