Overview: Who Is Responsible for Declaring a Disaster and Why?

A disaster is a big threat to ecosystems and communities. Many people stay in vulnerable areas with high risks, but nobody can blame them. When a certain disaster occurs, they have the right to know what to do after a disaster declaration. However, who is responsible for declaring a disaster?

Who is Responsible for Declaring a Disaster

Since a disaster is usually hard to predict, especially a natural disaster, the government has the responsibility to announce and declare what is going to happen in the vulnerable area. This is an effort to avoid severe damage because of the disaster itself.

The government might work with different tiers of authorities, agencies, and institutions according to their legal framework. This is why it is very crucial for them to arrange the policies as soon as possible if they have not. It is easier to create boundaries that are protected by laws, so people can work efficiently.

The Government’s Key Principles to Declare a Disaster

Uniformity in Coordination

Some countries are so big that they need better coordination, better than other countries. The examples are the Philippines and Indonesia since they consist of thousands of islands where many people live. It is very important to have uniformity in every aspect, so people will not be confused about information.

This work involves many agencies and different authorities working together. They should not point out to each other about who is responsible for declaring a disaster. The central government arranged the strategies; meanwhile, the local authorities put on some efforts in the areas during this emergency.

Emergency Power Activation

Generally, there are two types of declarations, local and national. They are held by different authorities. When the disaster is severe, the national level may help directly manage coordination with different agencies, NGOs, and other parties that can help to speed up the emergency response.

The government is the key principle in this, as who is responsible for declaring a disaster. They can mobilize resources on a great level, as well as trained personnel, as a rescue team. With a declaration from the government, access is faster because the procedures have been standardized.

Nation’s Accountability

The country is accountable for protecting its people. So, responding to the crisis is the bare minimum. The country has to be responsible and transparent in managing the crisis because of the disaster. When the case causes severe destruction, a country should take action fast.

The people who are affected by disaster also rely on the government’s decision. They are waiting for the response because their action is limited during the emergency. The government is accountable for doing many things in emergency response, including minimizing the damage and risks after the event.

Clear Legal Framework

With a clear legal framework, the government can ensure that funding, resources, and other allocations are going to the people who are vulnerable. They can coordinate with many agencies because their duties are limited to their task. Thus, the agencies do not have to worry because their actions are protected by law.

It is easier to coordinate with other communities to help when the legal framework is clear. The government can encourage them in groups, and then fulfill their needs with inclusive actions. It can escalate the recovery phase so that they do not have to wait for greater help which may take time.

How to Declare A Disaster

Doing Local Assessment

Local assessment is done after the incident strikes. This is estimated and determined by the local authorities. Since they are doing it immediately, the personnel should have the capacity and capabilities to do the assessment. After that, the local government can take other actions.

National-Scale Actions

When the disaster is so severe that a local government cannot handle it by itself, it is better to take action at a national level. This will help to fix the situation during the emergency faster. The estimation can be very high and local government may not be able to coordinate.

Closing

Since who is responsible for declaring a disaster is the government, it is crucial to maintain an early warning system to announce the declaration. It can ring the bells for all roles to work efficiently and quickly. Using an SMS broadcaster may help to send the information in real-time during this event. Find out the device here.