TSUNAMIS in the South Pacific and an earthquake in Sumatra are reminders that natural and man-made disasters are increasing around the world, according to a Charles Sturt University academic.
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Ian Manock, a lecturer in emergency management at the CSU’s School of Social Sciences and Liberal Studies in Bathurst, said governments, emergency services and relief agencies all needed to plan better for such disasters.
Mr Manock said research shows the incidence of damage to facilities and harm to people from the impact of natural and technological hazards is increasing exponentially.
“The widespread impact of the tsunami on Samoa, as with the earthquake in Padang, or the recent typhoon flooding in The Philippines and Vietnam, will no doubt have emergency service agencies in these countries pushed beyond their limits,” Mr Manock said.
“Here in Australia, we make widespread use of volunteer support to the emergency services and emergency management agencies during and in the aftermath of disasters, such as this year’s Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria.
“When there is widespread impact on the population, this volunteer support is reduced.
“In a country such as Samoa that is developing and which has a small population, the impact of a widespread disaster means there is additional stress on the emergency services and government agencies responding to the event.”
Mr Manock said immediate response issues that needed to be addressed included the urgent need for food, clean water, accommodation and public health related services for those who are directly affected by the disaster.
“The medium to long term issues of clean up, restoration, rebuilding, re-establishment of businesses and the tourist industry that might have been affected by the disaster also need to be addressed.”
