Natural Disasters and Aftermath: What is at Stake?

Almost everything on this earth works within a system, the biggest system of it all being the system of nature. There are certain balances that nature has struck that need to be maintained in order for the Earth to function properly. Mankind has already disturbed these balances to quite an extent and as a result, nature has rebelled and given us many natural disasters. Some natural disasters are inevitable but of late, natural disasters like floods and hurricanes are happening because of unchartered human activity in the past some decades and even though now preventive measures are being taken, there are still repercussions to what already has happened. In terms of Earth's resources and natural splendor, we have robbed it blind and now hope to build it back up.

It is very easy to sit back and play the blame game, crying over our losses or where we went wrong. At this hour, it is required of us to sit down and think of sustainable solutions like minimizing the harm that is being done to the environment and coping with the repercussions that have already come to pass. Our aim in the world right now should be to rehabilitate the people who have already been displaced and then design economic systems that are strong enough to rebuild infrastructures and also cope with the aftermath of disasters without falling back on themselves. In a broader sense, there are two ways that we have to cope with the after math of natural disasters. The first one is pretty obvious and it is to provide immediate relief to victims to ensure their survival. The second one is to rehabilitate them physically as well mentally to inculcate them as productive citizens.

In terms of providing immediate relief, there are numerous organizations that work on providing disaster victims with tents, blankets, utensils, canned food, medicines, etc. and this list is approved by the UNHCR. The purpose of these companies is to manufacture top quality products so that they last longer and keep the prices affordable. The UNHCR has a list of international standards that these companies have to comply. Also such companies, like National Tent House, keep a stock of these items already manufactured and when in need, delivers and distributes them effectively.

Other than providing immediate relief, governments then need to work together to ensure that the infrastructure of the country isn't completely shattered and if it is, they work together to re-build it by causing minimal damage to the economy as it is. This process plays out in to rehabilitation as then the victims are provided with relief money or compensation to build their lives again, especially if they have been displaced.  The next step is to provide mental relief in the form of counseling to victims; almost all victims suffer from PTSD and motivational help in order to feel secure again. While organizations such as National Tent House will always remain relevant to natural disasters, mental health organizations also need to be given more weightage.