When disaster strikes, it’s easy to rush to judgment. For many of us, focusing on what went wrong often comes more naturally than identifying and praising what went right. While devastation cannot – and should not – be overlooked, Prometheus believes it is crucial that we also take time to reflect and appreciate the successes and resilience of nations who set the standard for what it means to prioritize preparedness and crisis management.
Natural disasters are generally unpredictable, both in timing and severity. While we can rely on technology for early warnings, those affected by a disaster are rarely fully alert, prepared, or confident about making decisions amidst a crisis. Preparedness and detailed response planning stand as the solution to the unpredictable nature of the world around us, minimizing reliance on quick thinking and intuition and instead leveraging a strategic, comprehensive approach rooted in data and meticulous planning.
Several countries continue to set a precedent for effective disaster preparedness and response plans and showcase proactive, protective measures that can save lives while minimizing damage. Together, we can look to these nations – and their effective disaster preparedness and response strategies – to gather valuable, life-saving insights.
Japan leads the way in earthquake preparedness
In 2011, the “Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami” struck Japan’s Tōhoku region. After hundreds of square kilometers of seafloor were uplifted, this immense shift caused radiating tsunami waves to crash upon Japan’s shores. The devastation was great, though we must not overlook what went right.
Japan’s early warning systems – including the Japan Meteorological Agency’s earthquake alerts – provided advanced notice to citizens and proved that when disaster strikes, every second counts. These alerts allowed Japan’s communities to react and remain aware following the tsunami.
Stringent building codes and fortified infrastructure enabled many communities to remain standing amidst the earthquake and withstand recurring seismic activity. The strength of these buildings undoubtedly protected citizens and infrastructure, minimizing casualties along the way.
Finally, Japan’s ability to conduct efficient evacuation procedures – including the use of designated evacuation routes and community preparedness drills – led to a swift and organized movement of people to safer areas and higher ground. We continue to see examples of educated and informed citizens contributing to more efficient evacuation efforts, which is why we feel so strongly about involving communities before disaster strikes.
The Philippines mitigates the impact of calamity
From typhoons to volcanoes, the Philippines continues to face unexpected catastrophes due to its location within the typhoon belt and in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Typhoon Haiyan and the Taal volcano eruption brought great hardship to the region in 2013 and 2020, respectively. During both of these natural disasters, response and preparedness plans were put to the test.
“The Philippines is a country highly susceptible to natural hazards, including tropical cyclones, earthquakes, and volcanic risks. With a staggering 74% of the population exposed to multiple natural hazards and an annual average of $3.5 billion in assets losses from typhoons and earthquakes alone, the nation faces significant challenges in managing and mitigating the impact of these disasters.”
– (Source: Lockton)
The Philippines’ proactive disaster preparedness programs, including the ones led by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), provide advanced weather forecasting and early warning systems. These warning systems are what allow communities to prepare for impending typhoons and floods, minimizing surprise whenever possible.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) coordinates disaster response efforts in the Philippines at a national level. During times of immediate need, this is how resources and personnel are deployed rapidly to the affected communities. During Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, it was timely evacuation orders and prepositioned relief supplies that saved lives.
Community-based disaster preparedness initiatives like the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees exist to empower local communities to remain proactive. By facilitating preparedness and response practices, they can bolster overall resilience in the face of unpredictability.
New Zealand faces quakes and volcanoes with resilience
Among New Zealand’s noteworthy natural disasters are the Christchurch earthquake of 2011 and the White Island volcanic eruption of 2019, both of which shocked communities and put preparedness and response efforts to the test.
Pre-existing comprehensive risk assessments and detailed hazard mapping allowed authorities and agencies to identify New Zealand’s most vulnerable communities and implement mitigation measures as needed. This highlighted weak spots in infrastructure and identified gaps that required additional attention. By completing these assessments, New Zealand was able to deploy emergency services and search-and-rescue teams swiftly, increasing success across rescue efforts.
By emphasizing public education and awareness campaigns related to disaster preparedness, leaders were able to foster a culture of resilience, empowering communities to remain proactive in times of crisis.
Norway sets the standard for flood management
Norway regularly battles against Nordic storms and subsequent flooding, resulting in improvements and reinforcements across their preparedness and response efforts. By embracing advanced flood forecasting and early warning systems, authorities can issue alerts and evacuation orders quickly, ultimately reducing the risk to human life.
Investing in robust infrastructure like flood barriers, levees, and drainage systems has allowed Norway to mitigate the impact of flooding and property damage, including damage to critical infrastructure. As we know, collaborative efforts are key, which is why Norway continues to nurture correspondence between government agencies, municipalities, and local communities. This allows for effective coordination and resource allocation across all response and recovery efforts.
Following flood events, Norway goes above and beyond to conduct thorough post-event evaluations that assess the effectiveness of their flood management measures, identifying areas for improvement. By being willing to scrutinize their infrastructure, they continue to strengthen their preparedness and response capabilities. This cycle of continuous learning and improvement is a benchmark for others to follow.
Australia battles bushfires with integrated strategies
Communities across Australia learned a lot from the Black Saturday Bushfires of 2009 and the bushfire crisis that spanned 2019 and 2020. These catastrophic instances tested the nation’s resilience in several ways, allowing others to learn from their example.
Australia established national fire agencies and nurtured collaboration through coordination centers, which enabled them to rapidly deploy firefighting resources when fires sparked. Coordinating response efforts across multiple jurisdictions was a priority, especially since natural disasters know no bounds. Since fires often travel rapidly, this ability to communicate and collaborate was crucial.
Investing in firefighting equipment and aerial resources allowed Australia’s firefighting personnel to broaden their reach and capacity. This investment enabled crews to combat large-scale bushfires, protecting lives and property. There’s nothing worse than feeling helpless, and this investment maximized the capabilities of Australia’s firefighters.
Community-based initiatives are woven throughout Australia’s disaster preparedness and wildfire management strategies. Bushfire preparedness programs and early warning systems promote community engagement and empowerment. Residents are proud to take proactive measures to reduce fire risk and protect their communities.
Drawing Inspiration from Proactive Nations
In each case, these countries’ preparedness and response plans are highly effective due to a combination of factors. Advanced technology, robust infrastructure, proactive risk management strategies, and community engagement all have a part to play across natural disaster initiatives. Prometheus continues to encourage nations to take a comprehensive approach to natural disaster preparedness, considering all factors and possibilities at play and learning from the examples of others.
These nations have made great strides toward effective disaster readiness, but we cannot stop there. By joining forces to fortify vulnerable nations and bring effective disaster management practices to those in need, we can contribute to a safer and more resilient future, minimizing the loss of life and property across the globe.
