The Victims of Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are most often unexpected, which is why these devastating storms cause so much damage to communities and to people’s lives. People most commonly don’t have enough time to prepare for these disastrous storms and therefore cannot take the precautionary steps. For that reason, I believe the people of these communities should be given more help to rebuild their lives, because it’s not their fault that these disasters happen. The role of the federal, state and city governments is a huge necessity in order for communities to restore and rebuild, after a natural disaster. The role of media coverage is also another critical part after a natural disaster, in order for the word to get out nationally. Lastly, the duty of the community and how the community responds as a whole to the situation is the most important. The victims of natural disasters are often not given all the help and attention that is needed to restore their lives and communities.
The federal, state and city governments aren’t doing all that they can do to help the people of these communities. They are not providing these communities with all the resources they need to help rebuild their lives. For example, in the article, ANARCHY, ANGER, DESPERATION, THE RESPONSE, written by Marc Sandalow, it states that, “The anger is aimed at the failure of the government to fortify levees before Katrina blew in, it’s inability to move residents out of the city, the wretched conditions inside the Superdome and the desperation on the streets that, on television, appears to border on anarchy.” This shows that the government did not take any precautions for the community or the people before the storm hit and the resources and shelter that they were providing these people with were in horrible conditions. It was said that everything was also very unorganized and there was a lack of assistance from government. Another example that the government is not doing all they can do to help, is from the article, Where’s the Trauma and the Grief?, it states that, “Houses and stores have been reduced to empty shell. Piles of rubble line the streets.” This also shows that the government is not helping people rebuild their homes and they aren’t worried about cleaning up the debris, which could cause harm to someone. Although the governments do help after disasters, they aren’t doing as much as they could be to help the victims of these unexpected phenomenons.
Furthermore, the role of media coverage has a huge impact on a community after a natural disaster because they record what is going on after a disaster in order to get the information out to the nation and even internationally. The news coverage shows how the community was impacted and how people may help. For example, in the article, ANARCHY, ANGER, DESPERATION, THE RESPONSE, written by Marc Sandalow, it states that, “the desperation on the streets that, on television, appears to border on anarchy.” Without the media covering this, no one would have known about the horrible conditions that the victims were provided and had to live in or that the government did not give all the assistance that was needed by the victims of disasters. The media provides information on the disaster, what is needed and whether it is supplies or just a helping hand. Without the media’s help, the nation would be dumbfounded on what is going on in the world, and help would not be provided.
In addition, the community’s response to a natural disaster is the most important. The community as a whole decides on what needs to be done, and provide help where it is needed. They also know the community the best, and know what used to be there before the disaster. For instance, in the article, Collective Trauma: Loss of Communality, it states that, “the neighbors would look out and tell when one another needed help or when one was sick or if something was disturbing that person”. The community was so close that they helped each other whenever it was needed or even if it wasn’t needed; they would just pitch in and help one another. Without the support of people from your neighborhood or community, the community would fall apart. The victims of these communities, should expect help from each other, everyone should work together to get things accomplished and things will get done quicker and a lot smoother.
Although, I believe that the victims of these disasters are not given all the assistance that is needed after a natural disaster, some people may believe otherwise. For example in the article, Where’s the Trauma and the Grief?, it states that, “the government establishes priorities. Public buildings like hospitals, schools, and governments offices would be rebuilt first. Private houses after that.” This shows that the government is rebuilding and helping the community, however they aren’t helping the victims rebuild their homes. People may also believe that the government is doing all they can do, however they aren’t, they could be doing a lot more to help out the victims such as providing them with better shelter, provide resources on who will help them rebuild their homes and even answer the big question, “What do I do now?” To conclude this why I believe that the government needs to be doing more to help the communities and victims that are involved in natural disasters.
In conclusion, I believe that the victims of these natural disasters are not getting all the help they need, because there can be so much more done to help them. The government’s roles after a natural disaster is very important, however they aren’t doing all they can do to help. Also the media’s coverage after a natural disaster is crucial in order for people to know about it. Lastly the community’s response after an unexpected phenomenon, is very important, because everyone has to work together to get the community back into order. To conlude, “Move on or go crazy. Don’t dwell. Look to the positive. Fix what needs fixing. Work Together” (Brooks, pg. 2).