Easy Does It
Easy Does It
Jeffrey T. Mitchell, Ph.D.
Emergency Health Services Department
University of Maryland
President Emeritus
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
It happens in almost every disaster. Some folks just cannot resist the temptation to self-deploy. Truthfully, some independent responders have been helpful under certain circumstances in the past. Freelance responders, however, are more likely to inadvertently generate further problems for people already in the disaster zone.
Because self deployed people do not always have the “big picture” in mind, they may end up in areas where they are not needed or where their services compete with organized response programs. Independent responders usually run out of supplies quickly and lack the benefit of an organized supply system. Frequently they request additional supplies from already strained stockpiles of disaster relief goods that organizations have shipped into to area to do their work. Needless to say, feelings of resentment on all sides can be easily stimulated under such circumstances.
Unfortunately, some people, who attempt to function in disaster areas on their own, find more trouble than they anticipated. They experience numerous difficulties finding food and water; they have no real base of operations and no dependable lodging. Often they lack communications and have no liaison with disaster relief organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the National Organization of Victim Assistance and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.
In the past, a few people with fragile health self deployed to disaster zones. They became sick and needed to be rescued. That, of course, further strained already overworked rescue and healthcare services. Others, who chose to work in areas where civil order was not yet restored, have become victims of robbery, violence and sexual assault. In summary, independent response adds further pressure to the rescue, health care, security and recovery systems that are attempting to restore order and reduce chaos.
Please, rather than self deploying, we urge all of you to join with existing appropriate non profit disaster response organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, National Organization of Victim Assistance and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. If you are not able to go to a disaster zone, your donations to any of those organizations helps more than you can imagine. Joining up or donating funds or volunteer time enhances the possibility that your resources and skills will be used in the most effective manner. There are huge benefits when our response to a disaster is part of an organized, comprehensive, integrated, systematic and multi-component approach. Please, do not freelance in a disaster. Thank you!
