Maui: Why We Need to Learn from Our Disasters

The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the organizations they are affiliated with.

The United States has faced its fair share of calamities, from the destructive force of Hurricane Katrina to the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael and the recent wildfires that ravaged parts of California. Regrettably, there have been delays in response and shortcomings in disaster relief efforts in each of these instances. I have personally witnessed the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina while working with the White House on recovery efforts, and my wife experienced the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael in Panama City. As we witness the unfolding disaster in Maui, it is disheartening to see the repetition of the same mistakes in our response to such crises.

What can and should we do to learn and improve our disaster response?

1. It is essential to acknowledge that our disaster response systems are under tremendous pressure. The largest and most complex disasters require a united response from various agencies and organizations. Unfortunately, these systems are not well coordinated. It is not uncommon for there to be confusion about which agency is responsible for which task, leading to a breakdown in communication and delivery of essential services. With Katrina, I experienced firsthand the coordination breakdown between two FEMA Regions, one that covered Mississippi and another covering Louisiana, which was affected by the hurricane. We cannot continue with this approach if we are to improve our response efforts.
2. We must improve the speed of our response efforts. Most times, delays can be attributed to logistics issues, such as a lack of supplies, funds, or personnel. To improve the pace of our response efforts, we must invest in disaster preparedness and ensure that necessary resources are readily available. Sometimes, the right resources are from non-government organizations or private sector companies with the expertise and capacity to quickly deploy services. FEMA and state relief organizations should step back and let others lead in those cases. We can also leverage technology to streamline logistics and communication efforts during disasters.
3. We must improve the quality of services provided to disaster victims. Our support to disaster victims should go beyond immediate needs, such as food, shelter, and medical care. We must acknowledge that disaster recovery is a long-term process; our services must cater to that. Previously, once the news cycle shifted away from the disaster, everyone, including government agencies and organizations, swiftly shifted their focus elsewhere. Victims need access to mental health services, financial help, and employment support on an extended basis to help rebuild their lives and their community.
4. We need to invest in our communities' resilience to disasters. Our neighborhoods and cities are our first line of defense against disasters. We need to ensure that our infrastructure is up to par and that our emergency response plans are rock-solid. Each of us can also play our part by volunteering and supporting local disaster response efforts.

In conclusion, we need to learn from our disaster response failures and improve our systems to become more effective. We cannot afford to wait for another disaster before we take action. Through our collective efforts, we can build more resilient communities, reduce the impact of disasters, and ultimately save lives.

Let's learn from our mistakes.

Call To Action: Innovating Disaster Response

So what does this have to do with innovation?

Innovation is essential to improving our disaster response efforts. We must be open to exploring new technologies, approaches, and solutions to help us better prepare for and respond to disasters. We must seize the opportunity to innovate if we are to ensure our communities remain resilient in the face of disasters. Let's collaborate and contribute together.

Please share your ideas and feedback in the comments section.