What Have We Learned From Natural Disasters?

Mushafau Ade Kukoyi
Aurora Central High School
NCLB Writing Assessment
11-03- 05

What Have We Learned From Natural Disasters?

In as much as we all agree that there is little or nothing we can do to totally prevent natural disasters from happening. However, we must acknowledge the fact that we have the potentials and the resources to adequately prepare for these disasters long before they happen in other to help cushion its devastating effect on lives and properties in our society.

In the first instance, the word ‘natural disaster’, according to the Webster’s New Millennium Dictionary of English, simply refers to “any event or force of nature that has catastrophic consequences, such as avalanche, earthquake, fold forest fire, hurricane, lightning, tornado, tsunami and volcanic eruption”. The above definition explains a natural phenomenon that cuts across any geographic location on earth and has dated back to the history of mankind. Equally important, most people panic, especially if they are ill prepared for this tragic event or they are not able to get necessary help from appropriate government authorities. Consequently, this may result to a brake down of law and order within the society, leading to looting, fighting, raping or even killing of each other.

In the past years, the United States has had its fear share of natural disasters, among which are the Colorado wild fires of 2003, California earthquake of 2004 and the most recent hurricane Katrina, that destroyed lives and properties in three major states, namely Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

The greatest question that we need to ask ourselves after this long history of devastating catastrophes is that ‘what have we learned from these natural disasters’?

In the first instance, it is crucial to understand that both the people and government need to work together and plan ahead of time. Moreover, government must ensuring that the people are well informed of the nature of the disaster, its consequent to lives and properties and the best way of response in the event of such disaster. Consequently, this approach will greatly help to reduce panic amongst the people in a crisis situation. For example the ugly situation that was experienced during hurricane Katrina would have been avoided if the people and the government had planned ahead with adequate logistics and transportation for evacuating the people before the D-day.

Secondly, the past event has reveal the need for proper legislations and funding of government and private institutions that are responsible for coordinating and managing natural disasters in the country. In addition, the ugly situation whereby people were stranded for days without potable clean water, clothes, electricity or medical supplies could be effectively managed once the necessary institutions are well funded.

Thirdly, there is a need to mobilize all our resources at the federal, state and local level and act as a nation, simply because, the impact of a natural disaster can greatly affect and destroy anybody, any where, at any time, regardless of geographic location, race, ethnic, gender, or social statues of the people involved.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that if the society is proper informed, while government provide adequate funding for designated institutions and the general sense of unity of purpose at the federal, state and local level are all given proper attention; it will not only reduce the impact of such devastating experience in future but will also unite the entire nation and its people in the event of future natural disaster. According to a popular quote, “A nation that stands together can not be broken”.

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