N
atural calamities claimed the lives of 249,896 people worldwide in 2004 in
360 reported disasters, compared to 84,570 killed in 1995 in 239 reported dis-
asters, one indication that the frequency and effects of disasters on people is increas-
ing.
1
The year 2005 began with the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami and
ended with the South Asia earthquake. These two high-profile disasters resulted in
the unusual sight of two former U.S. presidents, George H. W. Bush and Bill
Clinton, simultaneously serving as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoys.
Meanwhile, new entities such as the corporate sector are becoming engaged in dis-
aster response. In some circles it is trendy to talk about disaster prevention, mitiga-
tion and risk reduction as a panacea for dealing with disasters. The fact remains,
however, that no amount of reduction or mitigation can tame nature and prevent
disasters from happening. Consequently, there will always be a need to assist the vic-
tims of disasters by responding quickly and effectively.
Responding to disasters is entirely different from responding to conflict-related
complex emergencies. This difference is not well appreciated even within the inter-
national humanitarian community, which considers responding to complex emer-
gencies its “normal” work. Although disaster response is inherently chaotic, tried
and tested international tools and procedures do exist to assist a disaster-affected
government and its people to handle the situation. However, new players, including
the corporate sector, and to some extent the public, have entered the field of disas-
ter response. Drawn by increased media exposure to disasters since Hurricane Mitch
in Central America in 1998 (the first disaster response covered live by CNN) these
new entities present opportunities, but their very presence in large numbers at a dis-
aster site poses certain challenges. When added to the difficulties inherent in inter-
national disaster response, these new actors could lead to coordination becoming less
effective in the future unless remedial action is taken quickly. These actions include
strengthening international and national disaster response preparedness; ensuring
SPRING/SUMMER 2006 | 153
THE RESPONDERS’ CAULDRON: THE
UNIQUENESS OF INTERNATIONAL
DISASTER RESPONSE
Arjun Katoch
Journal of International Affairs, Spring/Summer 2006, vol. 59, no. 2.
© The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
