Lessons Learned, Hurricane Mitch
Download
Report
Transcript Lessons Learned, Hurricane Mitch
Lessons Learned, Hurricane Mitch
San Juan, Puerto Rico
May 23-28, 2000
Hurricane Mitch
Most powerful hurricane to hit Central America in two
centuries
Overwhelmed disaster management structures, at national,
regional and international due to geographic impact
Unprecedented levels of destruction, $3.5 Billion
Thousands of shattered lives; two million displaced
Four countries seriously affected by the phenomenon;
extreme poverty, environmental degradation and poor
disaster response resources
Hurricane Mitch
The Setting:
Hurricane developed as tropical storm then CAT V, stalled
for two days prior to landfall--4.5 feet of rain
Impacted impoverished and debt-ridden countries
Some recently emerged from prolonged conflict
Death toll, homes destroyed, agriculture, health
infrastructure, schools, highways, bridges, water and
sewage was all on an unprecedented scale
Human interventions lie at the root of much of the damage:
farmers and urban population without access to adequate
land or credit and technical assistance, homes in high-risk
areas, deforestation, inappropriate farming practices
Hurricane Mitch
Initial Response:
Not well prepared disaster management structures
or plans to address the effects of a major disaster,
despite the recurrence of major disaster history in
the region
Sporadic information sharing amongst the affected
countries, communities and internal communications
breaks
As the event unfolded, respective governments
were establishing national emergency structures
Health sector was better prepared--PAHO
Hurricane Mitch
Relief Effort:
Local authorities, churches, NGOs, and civil defense
mobilized
National, regional and international assistance was
generous and massive, but cumbersome and
sometimes not coordinated
Aid received monitored closely--receiving, storage,
registry and distribution by affected nation w/SUMA
Over 40 countries provided relief support-equipment, personnel, goods or debt forgiveness
OFDA Funded DoD Air Assets
•La Ceiba--FOB:
•4 x UH-60s
San Pedro Sula
La Ceiiba
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
•Guatemala City:
•6 x UH-60s
•JTF Bravo(Soto Cano):
•5 x UH- 60s
•2 x MH-60s
•4 x CH -47s
•2 x C-27s
•2 x C-130
EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
•JTF-Aguila (Comalapa)
• 6 x MH/UH-60s
•10 x CH-47s (or equivalent)
DART HQs
•Managua:
•5 x UH-60s
•1 x CH-47
COSTA
RICA
PANAMA
Snap Shot of DART OPS During Hurricane Mitch: 10 Nov 98
DoD provided approximately 60% of airlift required in the region;
other forces provided the remaining 40%.
Summary of U.S. Assistance
During Hurricane Mitch
• USAID/OFDA $30 million
• USAID/Food for Peace (FFP) $52 million
• Department of Defense (DOD) $150 million
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) $63 million
• Development/Micro-credit assistance $5 million
• Rolls of Plastic Sheeting: 1,434
• Water Bladders: 39
• Water Jugs: 53,850
• Blankets: 22,150
• Body Bags: 1,004
• Food: 60,000 Metric Tons
Total USG: $300 Million
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”
Emergency Operations systems did not function
-Governments were developing as situation
unfolded-political change, changed DM organization
-Existing organizations focused efforts on
preparedness and response, need to include
prevention and mitigation
Lack of coordination/exercising of national
emergency plans
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”
Civilian groups marginalized by military who have
the resources
Coordination efforts centralized in capitol cities
Disaster management trained personnel were not
available or unable to execute what training known
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”
Better communications required with outlying
areas for assessment and reporting
Countries overwhelmed with international
assistance-not coordinated
Early warning is critical at the local, national, and
international level
Communications and plans need to be known by
community leaders--communications and plans
have to be horizontal versus vertical
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”
Disaster Preparedness and Planning needs to
involve all communities
comprehensive training programs at all levels
community awareness
information management; communication media
should be aware of their influence; PIO keeping media
informed to avoid confusion, and erroneous reports
create a culture of disaster preparedness and mitigation;
create awareness for all sectors
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”
Governments and local authorities must ensure that the
international donor community’s response is based on
reliable and verified needs assessment
Information sharing through relief networks
Humanitarian Operations Center needs to be established
to coordinate efforts with NGO’s, and other international
organizations
Coordination of efforts between National, local, regional
and international organizations
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”
Social Vulnerability, assignment of funds for
sustainable living conditions and health/education
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”
Reforestation of areas and legislation on sites
for construction
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”
Strengthen Central
American integration
through existing
institutions such as
CEPREDENAC and
SICA-looking at
regional management
of water and other
natural resources,
address shared
problems
Venezuela’s Floods
“lessons learned”
Lessons learned from Hurricane Mitch in Central
America indicate that many of the NEMO’s were
unable to assist as trained during the last 10-15 yrs.
The same lessons were learned during the
December 1999 floods in Venezuela
In most of these events, the military was directed to
assume duties of the operating NEMO’s
Innovative institutional systems are needed to
enhance NEMO self sufficiency and military support
to civil authorities during disasters
“Preparedness and Planning of
Foreign Regions in the Americas ”
All countries affected by Mitch have passed
legislation creating civil sector agencies for natural
disaster and emergency response--CEPREDENAC
Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) proactive with DART, Preparedness/Planning training,
initial assistance to affected country
USSOUTHCOM Regional Disaster Response
Seminars and Training Exercises
CDERA, CEPREDENAC and PAHO
“Preparedness and Planning of
Foreign Regions in the Americas ”
Central American Disaster Mitigation
Initiative-OFDA/USAID
Academic Curriculum design/development in
DM/HA
Scientific research on topics related to DM/HA
Collaboration of organizations in region
Health sector Psycho-social aspects
Private sector involvement
Gracias!