Macro-triage in Disaster Planning

Abstract

Rather than analysing the ethical question arising within the current framework of disaster relief and humanitarian aid efforts, this chapter analyses the ethical questions that are associated with the framework itself. The terminology of ‘disasters’ already introduces us into a specific moral geography. Distinguishing natural from man-made disasters re-allocates human causation and human responsibility. However, such a distinction is questionable since what transforms an event into a disaster is its impact on human beings. Contemporary humanitarian relief also presupposes a specific moral geography, emphasising the need for philanthropy, disinterested aid and the significance of compassion since we are all potentially vulnerable members of the global moral community. The new language of humanitarianism, however, reinforces a particular moral response (focused on protecting victims and saving lives) disregarding possible other responses.