Yet, I think it is very difficult to plan for these reactions in organizing a post-crises situation. It is hard to plan for because it is hard to count on specific roles the public will play. Because they are volunteers there is no definite role that will be accounted for. It is entirely up to the goodness of fellow humans and their personal motivation and creativeness. These are things that are incredibly difficult to measure or depend on. From examples and repeated previous evidence we can surely count on some kind of participation by public volunteers because of the human nature to help others, but it is very different to preconceive the amount or specific aid these volunteers will have.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Public Participation in Crises
I know we've gone over this and read this several times so far in class and in articles but it is still overwhelming to me how underestimated the public becomes during and after a crises. Maybe they're not underestimated but the public definitely is not thought of as playing as large of a role as they actually do. We see their participation and efforts from the first responders in the impact area of a crisis all the way through the surrounding areas and eventually national and global public volunteers arise. Those most immediately affected become the first to deal with the injured and survivors of any crisis or disaster. These people are most likely not trained professionals but must cope with the situation through improvising and instincts. The community just beyond the impact area becomes the immediate refuge for the displaced survivors and the members of the community become caretakers and volunteer aids in many aspects. Farther removed still are those who are not locally or regionally near the disaster area but still find ways to provide some kind of support, whether it may be donations or providing information over social networking sites. Volunteers come in many forms and provide many different services following crises.
Yet, I think it is very difficult to plan for these reactions in organizing a post-crises situation. It is hard to plan for because it is hard to count on specific roles the public will play. Because they are volunteers there is no definite role that will be accounted for. It is entirely up to the goodness of fellow humans and their personal motivation and creativeness. These are things that are incredibly difficult to measure or depend on. From examples and repeated previous evidence we can surely count on some kind of participation by public volunteers because of the human nature to help others, but it is very different to preconceive the amount or specific aid these volunteers will have.
Yet, I think it is very difficult to plan for these reactions in organizing a post-crises situation. It is hard to plan for because it is hard to count on specific roles the public will play. Because they are volunteers there is no definite role that will be accounted for. It is entirely up to the goodness of fellow humans and their personal motivation and creativeness. These are things that are incredibly difficult to measure or depend on. From examples and repeated previous evidence we can surely count on some kind of participation by public volunteers because of the human nature to help others, but it is very different to preconceive the amount or specific aid these volunteers will have.
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This is relevant in the Bhopal gas leak where many of the brave rescuers were students in their 20s risking their lives to save strangers, as the police ran in the opposite direction to save themselves. I believe that most people are inherently good, although as seen with 9/11 it is sad that it takes a disaster to bring the community together.
ReplyDeleteAlso the amount of people who dedicate time, energy, money, and overall efforts towards disaster relief show how many people care and are willing to help. Social media sites spring up post-crisis that are devoted to raising money for a cause or spreading awareness about an issue. By showing personal experiences, educating people on the facts and giving the tools necessary to help, these sites alone show the general public's interest in assisting disaster stricken communities.