DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Preparedness

Question 1:

Describe strengths and weaknesses of the emergency preparedness and response efforts to the eruption of the Mount Pinatubo volcano.

Mount Pinatubo is one of the composite volcanoes situated on the Philippine island of Luzon. This strato volcano erupted in June, 1991 and it is deemed the largest eruptions to hit in the past twentieth century. Large quantities of sulfur dioxide (15 million tonnes) were emitted into the atmosphere. The volcano displaced over 100, 000 people and those who died are estimated to be 800. The volcanic ash was bulky and it caused the collapse of roofs thereby killing people. Infrastructure was wrecked and there was damage of private property as well as crop destruction (Albor, 2001).

The volcanic eruption was promptly predicted by seismic experts from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) in April, 1991. Land extending over a 6 mile radius around the volcano was declared a danger zone. Evacuation plans were made starting with the over 20, 000 Aeta highlanders. This was an indigenous community that had occupied the mountain slope. Lowland communities also moved and established a safe distance from the volcano. American occupied Clark Air Base was also evacuated and about 18, 000 servicemen were moved together with their dependents to Subic Bay station where they awaited flights to the United States. In total over 58, 000 people were evacuated.

However experts failed to predict on an incoming tropical storm. Storm Sunya's interaction with the volcanic eruption was catastrophic. The storm caused heavy rainfall which mixed with volcanic ash and the result was tephra rainfall over the entire island. Volcanic ash settled on buildings and over 100, 000 lives were claimed when the roofs collapsed (USGS, 2005). Such predictions would have led to evacuation of all the island occupants. Seismic experts failed to explore the possibility of a volcanic - storm interaction and solely focused on the ramifications of volcanic eruption. In addition the lowland areas where most people had fled to were unsafe. Following the eruption, lahars (steaming mudflows) began to cascade towards the lowlands burying people, vegetation, animals and property.

Filipino rescue efforts were supplemented by the international community. USAID donated plastic material for temporary structures to house those displaced by the lahars. A monetary donation of $ 375,000 was also made to fund rehabilitation projects. However there was resource mismanagement as refugee camps had inadequate amenities and children were suffering from diseases. To date many of the Aetas still reside in resettlement camps. USAID is just one of the few foreign donors in HT Pinatubo eruption. The Philippines should have launched an appeal seeking assistance from the wide international community. More donor funds would have greatly boosted the recovery process and reduced human suffering in the resettlement camps (Phillips, 2004).

Question 2:

Describe how you would apply these techniques described by Perry to preparedness and response efforts involving a volcanic disaster such as the eruption of the Mount Pinatubo.

Perry's techniques of disaster preparedness are presented in form of a four stepwise ...