Roles Of Armed Forces In Disaster Management Environmental Sciences Essay

Roles Of fortify Forces In casualty heed environmental Sciences Essay1. Disasters argon of various types caused by native phenomena as fountainheadspring as compounded by humans error. Natural misadventure whitethorn be of various type such(prenominal) as temblors, cycl adept, tornado, flood and so forth and early(a) types such as drought, crops failure, etc. whereas man made happenings whitethorn include radiation accidents, gas leakage accidents bomb explosion, war snip rioting, firing etc. Natural Disasters argon un wish tout ensemble told(a)thing else in human hold. These atomic number 18 largely beyond control of human being resulting apace changes in the lives of the victims. On the other hand, the cost of man made hap like war is borne by the good population. The socio-economic consequences of each these casualtys cause everlastingly been highly alarming and devastating.2. terra firmaly concerny countries of the world argon frequently laid low(p) by adverse inbred calamities. The magnitude and severity of such happenings be be alarming. The loss of aliveness, damage to post and stripping off the resources are third estate features. However, the topology of infixed adventures is multiple, based on meteorological, topographical and geological conditions such as cycl stars, floods, earthquake etc. and its effects also spay from unc fall outh to country.3. Like many another(prenominal) countries of the world, natural adventures are very special K in Bangladesh, because of its geographical, atmospheric, environmental and fast changing ecological reasons. Bangladesh whitethorn be described as one of the almost hazard prone countries of the world. about every year she experiences one or the other type of misfortune. The most common chances that superior generally occur in Bangladesh are floods, cyclone, storm surge, tornado, norwester, drought, earthquake etc. Bangladesh is a developing country having one of the lowest per capita in get nether ones skin in the world, cannot afford to have a big standing system of rules with equipment totally to meet the requirements of pre, during and post tragedy activities.4. The contribution which the armed forces can wangle in dealing with such disaster deprivation not be over emphasized. This contribution has usually been made d cause the st tenors some act upon of official arrangement for aid to courtly power, as laid pop in the standing operating procedures.Experience has shown that multitude forces are fully impelling in counter-disaster role. The flexible organizational structure, capability of sustained feat in all weathers by day and night and healthy t rainfalled centering system of the armed forces make them particularly well-suited for impressive disaster break outgrowths. In addition, many of their normal activities parallel to those in public pinch service. Thus armed forces can offer aid to the victims with invaluable su stain in engineering, conversations, imparting, rescue, emergency medical services, field sanitation, piss system supply and so on.5. Therefore, whenever Bangladesh faces any natural disaster it becomes imperative for the gird Forces to respond readily with its own talk termsment, communications and administrative machineries to support the Civil authorities to earmark humanitarian abatement to prevent further loss of lives and property. In this penning an attempt give be made to identify the types of different natural disasters and the role of the fortify Forces in handling them, effects of disaster in general those of the new disaster threats and Disaster solicitude system in other countries The study is confined to the natural disasters that commonly occur in Bangladesh and its handling by the armed forces. It is assumed that the definition of disaster, its pattern and nature, the doctrine causes are well-known to the reader and therefore, not discussed here. The opus is laid out(p) in the follo backstage order a. Types of disaster and its proceeding on Bangladesh.b. temper of soldiers Assistance and the capabilities of the arm Forces to combat the Disaster.c. Existing Disaster caution System in Bangladesh.d. Contribution of the fortify Forces in Disaster concern- a Historical Review.e. Disaster Management System in other Countries.f. emerging Role of fortify Forces in Disaster Management.AIM6. The aim of this paper is to analyse disaster steering in general and recommend measures/systems for disaster preparedness and mitigation in Bangladesh by the gird Forces.TYPES OF DISASTER, AND ITS EFFECTS ON BANGLADESH.7. General. Disaster includes such events produced by a variety of natural and manmade caustic agents, including earthquake, volcanic eruption, tropical cyclone, flood, refineslide, drought, epidemic, fires and war cadence bombing attacks. According to Kates (1980) roughly 90 percent of the worlds disaster are due to four fate types.a. Floods (40 percent)b. Tropical Cyclone (20 percent)c. Drought (15 percent)d. Earth Quakes (15 percent)8. Types of Disaster. Except earthquakes (Though the country experienced a mild trauma in 1988) other three hazards are common in Bangladesh. The most common disasters for which the fortify Forces may be diligent in aid of civil power are.a. Natural Disasters.(1) Flood.(2) Tropical cyclone (typhoon).(3) Earthquake.(4) Landslide.(5) Epidemic.(6) Drought.(7) Famine.(8) charge surge.b. Man made or Artificial Disasters.(1) Major Accidents.(2) Civil Unrest.(3) Man made floods.9. The New Disaster Threats. The new disaster threat which has construct since World War-II be expressions the traditional disaster threat need to be considered and dealt with as a challenge with more effectively . The new disaster threats, may cause endless sufferings win far-ranging effects, and at the same time be difficult to counter. Some of these kinds of disasters are listed under a. ami cable Violence. Social Violence like hijacking, terrorism, communal riots, civil unrest and conflicts with conventional fortify affect many nations. The Armed Forces can help the administration mop up such social violence.b. Hazardous Material. Hazardous materials or substances can be as new disaster threat. The tragedy of Bhupal in India in 1985 ranks preponderant in this category, with its estimated toll of 2500 killed and 100,000 affect in various ways.c. Atomic and thermonuclear Threat. The explosion in 1986 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Russia highlighted the extent and severity of this problem. Radio active effects from the disaster athletic field were measured as far way as 1600 miles and more. Even if country was not directly involved in nuclear conflicts or terrorism, it could well suffer severely from the radio active side-effects.10. General Effects of Disaster. The causes of disaster may be varied, the major(ip) effects of disaster tend to be a. Loss of Life.b. Injury.c. Damage to and destruction of property and nationalInfrastructure.d. Damage to and destruction of subsistence and cash- crops.e. happy chance of production, life style and inborn services.f. Loss of livelihood.g. Destabilization of bailiwick stinting Development.h. Sociological and physiological after effects.j. Political Instability.k. Crisis related to national security.11. Effect of Major types of Disaster in Bangladesh. The effect of major types of disasters are inclined at Annex A.12. Impacts on Macro-Economic Adjustment of govt. The impacts of the natural Disasters on macro-economic appointment area. Impact on central govt revenue.b. Impact on availability of Extra-budgetary resources.c. Impact on central govt development budget.d. Impact on foreign aid and over all growth.NATURE OF MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND THE potentialOF ARMED FORCES TO COMBAT THE DISASTER.13. Military Assistance. The nature and extent of military aid in disaster will depend on th e combination of the forces regular in the country. Following aid may be rendered by the Armed Forces to fight disaster.a. Air, land and sea survey and assessment, specially to ascertain levels of casualties and damage.b. reconnaissance in the disaster zone and identification of routes inside and leading towards it.c. organize and mobile manpower for rescue operation.d. Well trained and equipped Engineers.e. head / communication units to provide emergency radio and telephone links.f. Supply / logisticalal units to handle, store and transport goods and people over all types of roads.g. want / contiguous medical fend to the civilian services.h. Helicopters and aircrafts for reconnaissance and transport duties.j. Provision, by maritime forces, of transport support in harbour also electrical power, robotlike engineering, piss purification, long distance radio communication, cooking and backing facilities.14. Capabilities of the Armed Forces to Combat Disaster. The well pla nned organization and management system of the Armed Forces make them capable to effectively handle, manage and tackle natural calamities and disasters under any serious condition. The members of the Armed Forces are selected psychenel, disciplined and are well trained in leadership qualities. They are great organizers of any given(p) task with honesty, sincerity, co-operation, discipline and above all patriotism. They can handle and manage any catastrophe withsuccess.15. Armed Forces have specialized training institutions to loan training to their members on various fields. They have expert hands such as doctors, engineers and other professionals to meet the differents need . These experts become extremely incumbent to meet any emergency and for conducting rest and rehabilitation realize. The role of the Armed Forces in various disaster management fields is briefly narrated below a. Rescue Operation. The Armed Forces are quite capable of rescuing water spring people from flo od modify areas using different kinds of water transport and also helicopter.b. support and Rehabilitation Work. Members of the Armed Forces with their better(p) mobility can feed at every corner of the country rapidly to start relief and rehabilitation work in disaster and crisis ridden areas.c. Medical and Sanitation Services. Members of regular army Medical Corps fastly start providing all kinds of emergency and general medical services including vaccines and setting up of sanitation facilities through active participation , wherever possible of the affected people.d. Supply of Pure drunkenness Water. The Armed Forces are assigned the task of ensuring the supply of through water bowsers/trailers. Besides, they also assist in sinking tube-well for this purpose.e. Repair and Maintenance of confabulation. yield of normal communication becomes a very heavy task of the Armed Forces in flood affected and cyclone hit areas. They also perform this important task in areas where s abotage or subversive activities are carried out. Members of the signalize Corps undertake this responsibility and urgently rebuild the communication system. The Crops of Engineers of the ArmedForces undertake emergency repair and reconstruction work ofthe roads and bridge damaged by flood, tidal bore and help restore effective and workable communication system.f. Provision of shelter. Armed Forces also in some clock participate of construction of shelters in areas severely hit by natural disaster. Mostly this is done through the active participation of the affected people.g. deportation of rilievo Materials. Armed Forces render great help in transporting relief materials to the affected areas. For this purpose, they quickly use their different kinds of transport vehicles.h. Loading deliver of Food Grain Relief Materials. Armed forces may be sedulous for loading and unloading and guarding of food grains and relief materials in sea-port and different river ports. actual DISAST ER oversight SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH16. General. Disaster relief and its managements is one of the prime national responsibilities. The Bangladesh political relation Bangladesh has outlined the duties and responsibilities of the various judicatureal institutions and of different ministries, including the Armed Forces in twain Standing Operating Procedures (SOP). These SOPs are a. jot standing orders for flood.b. Standing order for cyclone.17. Based on these two SOPs Armed Forces have formulated their own SOPs up to unit level. SOP at all level has clearly spell out the detail tasks with regard to pre, during and post disaster activities. More so, when a disaster is anticipated, selected military units and personnel with vehicles, transport aircrafts, helicopters, naval vessels and other water crafts remain in complete readiness to take part for immediate rescue and relief operations.18. Existing System. Armed Forces play a glacial role in complementing Government effort to resto re normalcy in disaster affected areas. The system which are followed in disaster management is briefly stated below a. Preparedness to Face Calamities. Natural calamities like cyclone and flood are recurring phenomenon Bangladesh but In novel times the intensity and magnitude of these natural calamities have given rise to the need for organizing the whole nation in preventing, fighting and understanding this calamities.b. Organizations Dealing with Preparedness. Government (govt) of Bangladesh has formed various deputations/ bodies/ mobile phones at the national level to advise the government as to how to be prepared for facing natural calamities and to execute the Government determination and action programmes to fight the disasters. These committees have specific tasks and mission during a disaster conclusion. The committees/cells are (1) National Disaster Prevention The form _or_ system of government reservationCouncil. clay.(2) National Co-ordination The co-ordinating delegacy. body.(3) Disaster Management and The operationRelief Activities Co-ordination Group.and Monitoring carrell.(4) patriarchal Ministers Relief Go-down.19. Armed Forces in Disaster Management. Armed Forces category (AFD) is the highest Military Organization in Bangladesh. Disaster Management and Relief Activities Co-ordination cell operates at the Prime Ministers Office with support from Armed Forces Division. The cell functions under the directional of the Honorable Prime Minister. top dog Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division acts as the Chief Co-ordinator of all relief and rehabilitation activities through this cell. every last(predicate) the three services, ie Army, navy blue and Air Force are ordered by this Division prior to an anticipated disaster.20. Co-ordination and Monitoring Cell. In the event of post disaster management, day to day operation coordinated by a cell within the Prime Ministers office under the Principal Staff Officer (PSO). This is commo nly known as Disaster Management and Relief Activities Coordination and Monitoring Cell, more widely known as the PSOs Cell. The functions of the Cell are a. Collection and compilation of damage assessments.b. Assessment of relief requirements.c. Management of Prime Ministers Relief Fund and related Storage facilities.d. Receipt, storage and diffusion of topical anaesthetic anestheticly and foreign donated relief supplies.e. Coordination of air supply drops.f. Coordination of transport.g. Public dealings including briefing of the media and donors.21. In the aftermath of any disaster, the Cell functions round the clock. The tasks that military personnel are to undertake in an emergency period are a. Evacuation.b. Rapid damage assessments (specially logistic support to mixed assessment teams).c. count and rescue.d. First aid/medical treatment.e. Handling of relief.f. Logistical support (land, sea and air) for the delivery of relief goods.g. Placing of relief storage and distributi on.h. Clearance of debris.j. Emergency repairs.k. inhumation of human bodies and animal carcasses.l. Setting up/ restoration of Telecommunications.m. Provision of fugacious shelters.CONTRIBUTION OF THE ARMED FORCES IN HANDLINGDISASTERS A HISTORICAL go off22. Armed Forces of Bangladesh traditionally have an additional role to meet any sort of national emergency. For any severe disaster Armed Forces is called for providing unavoidable emergency support and assistance. Besides this, on humanitarian ground an make force feels obliged to participate in alleviating human sufferings. In recent past during the severe disasters military organization worked side by side with Civil Administration. This remarkable contribution of the Armed Forces as explained below has acquire the confidence and prise of the people.a. Cyclone of 1985 and 1988 and Great Cyclone of 1991. It is well remembered that on 25 whitethorn 1985 the ferocious cyclone accompanied by tidal waves devastated Urirchar a nd badly affected Swandip and Hatia. On 29 November, 1988 another devastating cyclone rolled over Bagerhat, Satkhira, Khulna and Sundarban areas. The cyclone that hybridisationed the Bangladesh swoop on 29-30 April 1991 can only be described as a Great Cyclone. All these cyclones caused indescribable damage to the lives, livestock, crops and properties of the affected areas. The destruction of property caused by 1991 cyclone alone was estimated to be about $4 billion (US). The cyclone that affected Bangladesh since 1960 are shown at Annex B and the official statistics of 1991 cyclone are shown at AnnexC.b. Immediately after the cyclone warning orders were issued by the Govt to all the services Headquarters, to undertake anticipated relief and rescue operations, Armed Forces provided the following support during the cyclone.(1) The Armed Forces Quickly mobilized troops and moved them to the cyclone affected areas by the nautical vessels, boats, other functional Water crafts along with the relief goods, medicine, drinking water etc.(2) Rescued the affected persons/families.(3) They helped sinking tube-wells and re-excavated ponds for pure water where necessary.(4) A good number of small medical team with life rescue drug deployed in affected areas to treat the injured persons.(5) They established radio communication surrounded by the affected areas and concerned headquarters.(6) They prepared temporary shelters.(7) They rendered assistance in restoring the public services.(8) Army engineers with the assistance of Roads and Highway and railway authorities repaired bridges and culverts as well as roads within the shortest possible time.(9) Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) employed substantial number of its air assets for dropping food into the cyclone affected areas. They also evacuated serious patients to the base hospital.(10) Bangladesh Navy was mainly deployed in Chittagong and Khulna area. Its sailors had been worked day and night to provide emergency assista nce to relief/ reconstruction operations.23. Flood of 1987 and 1988. The floods of 1987 and 1988, that which inundated about 39.9% and 67% of the land area respectively were also unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh. The entire international society was not sure how Bangladesh will over come this disaster. and by the grace of Almighty, the Govt, could tackle the situation within very short period of time in an organized manner. The military organization earned confidence nationally and internationally. Total 350 camps were established to carry out relief activities. Official estimates of loses and damage by floods in 1987 and 1988 are shown at annex D. and major floods in Bangladesh since 1954 are shown at annex E .DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INOTHER COUNTRIES24. General. Most of the countries of the world are facing disaster in some form or other but the type and magnitude differ from country to country. severally country has a National level disaster plan in which there is provision for military assistance. Organization and the procedure of handling disaster of some of the countries are discussed below 25. Australia.a. Types of Disaster. Cyclone is a common natural disaster in Australia. The cyclone season extends from November to April. The two major cyclones are TRACY which devastated Darwin on Christmas twenty-four hour period of 1974 and the TRIXIE that devastated western Australia in February 1975. Australia did suffer from floods normally caused by cyclonic rain falls.b. Organization. The Federal Civil falsification Authority under Department of falsifying is the central authority to coordinate relief activities. Each state and community has its own local Counter Disaster Organization. The self-renunciation Forces of Australia have their own role to play in disaster management. They coordinate with all levels of disaster activities i.e. the National Level, the state and community level and the Local level. In the local level the chief Execu tive officer (CEO) may be the local Chief of the Police.c. Disaster Planning Group (DGP). Besides, the DGP is to provide policy way for the CEO in planning disaster counter measures and during the conduct of disaster relief operations. The DPG consists of representatives from the following (1) Police.(2) The local State or Territory Emergency Service Organization.(3) The major Medical/Hospital facility.(4) Local government.(5) The communications/telecommunications authority.(6) The major non govt welfare Organization.(7) Others in accordance with any priority local need.d. The Emergency Committee. The CEO is the chairman of the committee, consists of the leaders of all local organizations, including the Police.e. Defence Forces. When Defence Force units assist in counter disaster operations, a Defence Force liaison officer is to be attached to the CEO during the period of operations. All matters relating to the allocated Defence Force elements or resources can then be channelled th rough this officer.26. Malaysia.a. The Types of Disasters. Malaysia experiences flood almost every year.17 The major causes for this are unremitting and heavy rainfall, erosion and siltation of river beds.b. National Security Council. National Security Council (NSS) It is chiefly responsible for disaster management. At the national level it is the NSC that decides on the policy and conducts relief operations. They have the National Disaster plan and a Disaster Organization at all levels to mobilize and coordinate all activities machine-accessible with disaster. The plan also includes the participation of the Armed Forces. The use of military in National Disasters is within the scope of the Malaysian Armed Forces. This is one of their delineate rolls. The major operational control machineries of the Relief operational plan includes(1) National Security Council (NSC).(2) National Flood Relief Committee (NFRC).(3) Working committee for supplies.(4) Working committee for transport a nd communication.(5) National Security Council Flood Relief Operation Centre.(6) Defence Operation Room.(7) State Flood Relief Coordination support Centre.(8) District Flood Relief Coordination Control Centre.All these committees and centres include all three services of Armed Forces i.e. Army, Navy, and Air forces.Philippines27. Types of Disasters. Typhoons-high winds, storm surges, landslides and floods are the major disasters in Philippines.28. Organization. The national govt is responsible for disaster operations. The main body in charge of mitigating the impact of natural disaster is the National Disaster set up council (NDCC). The secretary of Defence convenes the council with the representatives of govt. the office of the president, the Armed Forces and the phillipine National Red cross (NRC). The role of the philippines Armed Forces is to establish communication links and make this available for disaster operations, to assist in reconstruction of damage rods/ bridges and t o assist in providing transportation for relief and evacuation.29. Analysis. From the above discussions, It may also be observed that in almost every country of the world Armed Forces, form the core of different national disaster management bodies and in any catastrophic, all these bodies work shoulder to shoulder. In the light of their experience following suggestions can be made for Bangladesh for effective National disaster management.a. Bangladesh may also form a body like one of those countries. In such effort our Ministry of Relief and Rehabilitation may be placed under Prime Ministers Secretariat as a Division. This will enhance the coordination capability of the proposed division to effectively handle the crisis arising out of disaster.b. In case of Australia they have a National policy making body on disaster management. Their main job is policy formulation for better disaster management and help the Govt. This can be very a great deal practicable in case of Bangladesh. No ted Scientists, intellectuals and peoples representation from all walks of life can formulate better policy for ensuring peoples participation at all levels.c. As Armed Forces are often called for disaster management, standing cell may be formed in every service so that they can distribute the work in advance, train and motivate the forces under their command to ensure quick response and rapid deployment to the disaster affected areas.30. Problems being faced during the Management of Disaster. Disaster management is the national responsibility. But to combat the it effectively all social agencies and establishments should work unitedly. Whenever Bangladesh faces any natural disaster the Armed Forces is called to fight the disaster. However, Armed Forces work under many constraints like shortage of officers and other skilled personnel, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, naval vessels, equipment etc. It is also not possible to solve and have the best this problem within short time. Even then these constraints/limitations, Armed Forces shall have to work with dedication and in full cooperation with the civil administration. However, there are some constraints which are forced particularly during day to day operation at the time of actual disaster management. These constraints if not addressed in time many greatly affect the disaster management operation and thereby reduce the capability of the organizations/ agencies including the Armed Forced.a. Inter Agency/ departmental Statuesque. Some times over conscious official with regard to his rank, berth or title stand in the way of effective cooperation and thereby delays the progress of crisis management.b. Personal rather than Collective Concern. Individual attitude of view may not be the same. But in Case of disaster management which works on group decision imposition of private decision can delay the attainment of common goal.c. Absence of ordinary Forum. In our country, there is not much opportunity to exchang e views among parties involved. encounter common forum generate mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation.d. privation of Communication between Two Parties. escape of proper and effective communication between two parties creates a gap which decreases the effectiveness of co-operation and after creates confusion.e. Lack of Co-ordination. Sometimes the work of different parties are not well Co-ordinated. Co-ordination is essential for any type of joint venture to avoid mismanagement or disorder. Without proper coordination, any good venture or attempt may turn into an utter failure.f. Confusion about Jurisdiction of Work. In all situations, the role of each party should be clearly defined. Interference to other partys role is harmful. It destroys the congenial atmosphere.g. Lack of shared Respect. In most cases officers of civil and military administration suffer from ego-centric complexities. These create rigidity and hinder debonnaire functioning.31. Ways to Overcome the Problems. To overcome these problems few suggestions are discussed below a. coarse Respect. All civil agencies and military administration must have respect for each other. In practical field it is often deliberately over-looked. Mutual respect ensures effective co-ordination and success in a given task.b. sensory faculty of Duties and Responsibilities. Both civil and military administration must be aware(predicate) about their own duty and responsibility. This is a pre-condition for any successful disaster management.c. Sense of Team work. Civil and military administrations should jointly work for all nation of peoples sufferings. They are complementary to each other. If anybody considers otherwise, then it will create undesirable situation.d. Avoid Rumour. Rumour may create misunderstanding between civil and military administrations. Direct communication diminishes the danger of rumour.e. Proper Communication and Co-ordination. Communication gap between civil and military admi nistrations often crops up during crisis management. Proper and timely communication between each other help achieve the goal.f. Sense of patriotism. Both civil and military administrations must work together to achieve common goal ie to serve the nation. excursion from this goal meets with failure.FUTURE ROLE OF THE ARMED FORCESIN DISASTER MANAGEMENT32. RATIONALE. Since disasters such as cyclones, tornadoes, tidal surge, etc. are sudden, severe and sweep over in nature, an organized and trained institution with the necessary manpower, materials and other logistic supports are required to respond to crises and prevent further human suffering. The Armed Forces being the only institution with all the necessary requirements may suffer this role. On the basis of this rationale, the following organizations may be set up.The organogram is at annex G.33. National Disaster Management Council . This would be the highest level decision and policy making body related to natural disaster man agement in Bangladesh which will be acted upon by National Emergency chemical reaction Committee (NERC). The Prime Minister (PM) will be the chair person of this council with following members.a. Key Ministers of.(1) Home Affairs.(2) Relief and Rehabilitation.(3) Information.(4) Cabinet Affairs.(5) Foreign Affairs.(6) Finance.(7) Communication.b. Chiefs of the common chord Services.c. Principal Staff Officer of AFD.34. National Emergency Response Committee (NERC). NERC may be consisted of the following members a. PSO as Chief coordinator.b. Secretaries of Following Ministries.(1) Relief and Rehabilitation.(2) Home Affairs.(3) Information.(4) Communication.(5) Cabinet Division.(6) Director General Metrology office (WeatherForecasting).c. Director General, nongovernmental organization Affairs Bureau.d. Task.(1) To report to the Pri