4 ms·

News reports before the typhoon hit said 4000 people had been evacuated. Why only 4000? Lack of resources? Now that the typhoon has devastated the philippines,

by garg 13y ago

News reports before the typhoon hit said 4000 people had been evacuated. Why only 4000? Lack of resources? Now that the typhoon has devastated the philippines, the international community is sending aid, money, resources. Why can't the same be done before a disaster like this hits? I'm sure the millions pouring in now could have gone a long way to evacuate people or set up shelters, dams, pumps, before it killed 10,000+ And for the financially minded bureaucrat, I'd guess preventive measures would possibly cost less as well.

phreanix 13y ago
I've actually read about over a million people evacuated and in shelters. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/08/typhoon-haiyan-batters-philippines http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/08/typhoon-haiyan-... Sadly, it seems international aid is more efficient at post-event response. The government tried to mobilize as well as it was able, but that will never be enough. (See: Katrina, japan earthquake/tsunami). I still have friends I haven't heard from, and have friends who haven't heard from their family. The days of shocked reflection after disasters are always filled with what-ifs and fruitless hindsight. I agree with rdl above that innovations have to be made but most importantly a plan for better wealth creation for the country's poorest who are often the hardest hit. In these modern times, it shouldn't take 10,000 lives to spur that on.
aestra 13y ago
It is a human problem. Humans live in areas where the scientific community knows certain disasters will eventually hit, sometime. It is hard to convince someone to allocate $100 now to save $1000 later, because it is later. You don't see the result now and might not in your lifetime and the prospect of "it probably won't happen" is easy to justify. and yes prevention costs less almost always.

by garg 13y ago

phreanix 13y ago

I've actually read about over a million people evacuated and in shelters. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/08/typhoon-haiyan-batters-philippines http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/08/typhoon-haiyan-... Sadly, it seems international aid is more efficient at post-event response. The government tried to mobilize as well as it was able, but that will never be enough. (See: Katrina, japan earthquake/tsunami). I still have friends I haven't heard from, and have friends who haven't heard from their family. The days of shocked reflection after disasters are always filled with what-ifs and fruitless hindsight. I agree with rdl above that innovations have to be made but most importantly a plan for better wealth creation for the country's poorest who are often the hardest hit. In these modern times, it shouldn't take 10,000 lives to spur that on.

aestra 13y ago

It is a human problem. Humans live in areas where the scientific community knows certain disasters will eventually hit, sometime. It is hard to convince someone to allocate $100 now to save $1000 later, because it is later. You don't see the result now and might not in your lifetime and the prospect of "it probably won't happen" is easy to justify. and yes prevention costs less almost always.