When a government is unprepared, people die

Nov 14, 2008 Features / Columnists

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Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA

INTRODUCTION
It has been over a week since a U.S. private plane disappeared in our jungle. What I found criminal is that it took over 24 hours before the Ministry of Transport got involved. With the international community paying close attention to this incident, one would have thought that an immediate response would have been launched.
This incident alone has grave effect on our economics, since this is a major foreign investor pumping large sums of dollars into a Uranium project that has positive implications for our nation.  This lack of immediate response can affect future investments if companies feel we do not have adequate resources for contingencies, or even care.
Even a novice knows that the plane-tracking device has a short battery life and in the case of a fire it can be severely damaged. Because of the lack of a formal disaster response program, especially in the Air Industry, private plane owners have formed their own group that immediately cease individual operations and all go in search of a missing aircraft. Since this was not a local aircraft, this response was not activated.  The government could have offered to pay for the fuel for these private owners to assist with the search.
In addition, the plane could have violated Venezuela airspace and I cannot say whether or not we have made the right inquiries to that government.
GRAVE CONCERN
The recent boat tragedy in the Corentyne River demonstrated a lack of sensitivity and more so a needed response. The police reported that the reason they did not activate an immediate search and rescue operation was because it was an illegal crossing.  Many died who could have been saved had an immediate response been activated.  Saving life and limb should be an immediate priority, regardless of the reason for the incident. We saw what happened during Hurricane Katrina in the U.S., which was another perfect example of the consequences of an ill-prepared response system.  The result was a great loss of precious life, homes washed away by the waters and businesses destroyed. The destruction was so complete that whole neighbourhoods were completely washed away and will never be restored to their former glory.  We had our own major disaster in 2005 because of the lack of attention to our drainage systems, a situation that exists to this day.

We find other infrastructure such as the only bridge across the Demerara River in which thousands travel on every day is very unsafe and even the President has called that criminal.

CIVIL DEFENCE
With an abundance of worldwide disasters in recent years, it would behove of every government to test their disaster preparedness strategies – that is, if they have one. This causes one to wonder what type of strategy we really have for disasters.
After a thorough assessment of past disasters and the likelihood of future catastrophes, Guyana needs to anticipate every form of calamity, be it a natural disaster or otherwise, and take the necessary steps to insure the ongoing safety of its citizens.
A Crisis Management Plan should be in place that can be initiated in a moment’s notice should disaster strike. Another wise step would be to create and distribute a readiness document detailing what steps should be taken by the citizens during the most probable disasters, which in our case is most likely another flood or hurricane type weather. The document should specify the dangers that should be avoided in a given situation, such as driving into moving water, staying away from electrical outlets and how to shelter from high winds.
A solid and reliable infrastructure plays an integral role in being prepared for any disaster as well. By shoring up our seawalls, having a drainage system that is capable of moving water quickly, introducing a pump system that could drive the water back out of the city and residential areas, as well as an air disaster recovery plan, we can prepare for the preservation of life in the unknown future.
CONCLUSION
There is no reason why an entire country should be flying by the seat of our pants when it comes to disasters. Being prepared can save money on property damage, but most importantly, it can save lives.  A car can be replaced and a home can be rebuilt, but a life lost can never be replaced.
We need to re-invent our Civil Defence Unit that is tasked to ensure we are ready for disasters.  We need to be prepared for disasters, we need to be educated on how to act, we need to be informed prior to such events as early as possible, and we in the business community need to develop our business recovery plan and test it regularly.  Until next time “Roop”.

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