Resistance Factors to Rapid Response in Natural Disaster Scenarios

Abstract

The research addresses the problems encountered by the disaster relief community in attempting to meet the emergency needs of natural disaster victims. Subsequent research questions are identified including the following: what are the most significant resistance factors to rapid response (RF.RR) in the emergency disaster relief processes; what interventions could be made to address these resistance factors; what specific management decisions need to be adopted to prevent RF.RR at the organisational level; has the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) had a significant impact in minimising the losses occurring from natural disaster? The subject has been approached using quantitative and qualitative research methods including personal engagement at disaster zones. Research methods included a survey directed towards the disaster relief community seeking their perceptions as to which were the most significant RF.RR. Additionally questions were posed regarding the effectiveness of the IDNDR. The methods of data collection used included the construction of a questionnaire after consultation with members of the disasters community. The World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine was the main target population consisting of medical personnel engaged in either operational response to disaster victims or research into the subject. 107 international responses were received from the questionnaire survey and the data analysed using statistical and non-statistical frameworks. Findings included the three resistance factors occupying the most significant position to be: magnitude of disaster, state of readiness of the civil defence and local emergency services and disaster mitigation and preparedness. The influence of the IDNDR on response times was not found to be statistically significant. Four important groupings of RF.RR were identified from the principal component analysis and factor extraction method. Conclusions include the importance of planning for high magnitude disasters and capacity- building at the local level including education of vulnerable communities. The need for ongoing attention to disaster mitigation and preparedness is re-enforced. A rapid response international model has been presented.