Michael VanRooyen: 12 myths and misconceptions in disaster response

I could see a place in risk analysis for this problem... here's a great short piece on a recent speech delivered through the Public Health Preparedness academic center at Harvard. Perhaps DHS should focus on # 10.


From Michael VanRooyen, co-director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and associate professor in the HSPH Department of Population and International Health

VanRooyen said the humanitarian aid industry must improve through self-analysis. "I remain idealistic," he said. Humanitarian aid is an essential part of emergency relief, but provision of it needs to improve.

The way to do that, he said, is to "professionalize the humanitarian effort" by better assessing the needs of disaster-stricken areas, involving the local populations in decision making, offering assistance in a culturally appropriate manner, coordinating efforts among relief agencies, and transitioning rapidly into long-term relief programs.


Twelve Myths and Misconceptions in Disaster Response

1. Disasters are random killers.
2. The primary victims of war are combatants and warring parties.
3. Foreign medical volunteers with any kind of medical background are needed.
4. Disasters bring out the worst in human behavior.
5. The affected population is too shocked and helpless to take responsibility for its own survival.
6. Epidemics and plagues are inevitable after every disaster, and dead bodies create disease.
7. Food, aid, and clothing are always needed by victims of a disaster.
8. Locating disaster victims in temporary settlements is the best alternative.
9. Media attention is usually focused on the most severe emergencies.
10. Large-scale relief efforts are the best way to control humanitarian crises.
11. Things are back to normal within a few weeks.
12. International aid is distributed based on the most acute need.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/now/20080201/twelve-myths-and-misconceptions-in-disaster-response.html