| Focal Topic: Natural catastrophe |
| Disaster management - Experiences and Learnings |
| An interview with Shari Temple, Managing Director Europe of Aidmatrix Foundation Inc., an organization that builds and operates technological systems to help people in humanitarian crisis. |
| Shari, what do you think are the main problems for both the international community and the non-governmental organizations (NGO) after large natural disasters like Haiti for example?
One of the key problems after a major disaster is effective communication and coordination. This is particularly true when communication and transportation infrastructure have been heavily impacted by a disaster. As we saw with Haiti, aid was being flown in but in many cases the planes were not able to land. Even more disheartening was when the plane was able to land and refuel but was not able to unload the cargo. Although the press was critiquing the aid agencies for not getting there faster, many NGOs quickly put plans in place but were unable to deliver and distribute the products. In one case, there were needed pharmaceutical donations ready to ship from the UK but due to custom regulations in Haiti, the NGO was not sure that they could get the drugs into the country – and the Haiti government was unable to respond to queries on how to override the rules.
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