Disaster Relief Aid

Natural Disasters and Relief Aid: Changes and Challenges is a comprehensive analysis of disaster relief efforts undertaken globally during the last several decades. Survivors of natural disasters of both developed and developing countries not only need, expect, or receive relief from outside sources to mitigate impacts of extreme events; they also often become proactive within their communities in terms of building networks and providing assistance to other survivors. Disaster relief represents a response that demands an immediate action to alleviate suffering of survivors and save their lives. Ideally, it consists of fast-paced, apolitical, reactive interventions of a short-term duration, focused on meeting immediate basic needs and enhancing the disaster recovery process. Although disaster relief is not designed to mitigate or reduce the risk of future disasters, it helps smooth the transition from necessary and immediate relief to long-term rehabilitation and redevelopment. A smooth transition is needed for survivors to quickly return to pre-disaster life so that they do not have to depend on any type of relief aid. Rapid mobilization of relief supplies not only helps meet the immediate needs of the survivors; effectiveness of disaster relief seems to be associated with the mental health of disaster survivors. Hazard researchers conclude that short-term relief projects may have longer-term implications for the material and emotional wellbeing of those receiving the funding and those denied the funding.