State and national governments have a responsibility to their residence during natural disasters. They must provide resources or assistance that allows the residence to cope or get back on their feet. Large natural disasters take away people’s homes, family members, and all their property. Thus, they require a helping hand from bodies with resources such as the state and national governments. For example, in dense population areas such as New York City, any natural disaster such as a hurricane could cause damage in many households and cripple the city’s economy. Therefore, the state and national government always have resources that assist such victims. This essay deliberately explores the state and national resources available to hurricane victims in New York as well as different ways they can advertise these opportunities.
One resource offered to hurricane victims is evacuation zones and centers. These are designated areas where hurricane victims can seek refuge and start recovery in case of a hurricane. At these locations, victims are given the basic needs which include food, water, and shelter. They are well distributed to ensure that all victims have a place to go in case of disaster. Notably, there are other services offered in the evacuation centers such as counseling, relocation opportunities and continuous updates from the personnel around. Therefore, it is the best place to seek refuge in the event of a hurricane. Such services are especially important in a country where hurricane seasons are intense and lead to millions in property damage or thousands of lives lost.
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Accessing evacuation zones in New York Cities is relatively easy. For instance, information on the role of evacuation centers during a hurricane and their locations are included on the local website. Therefore, for New York City all the information is available on nyc.gov. The site specifically includes a clear map of the evacuation centers ( Simon, & Teperman, 2011) . New York residents are encouraged to assess this information at the free time before a disaster actually occurs. Looking at this information prior helps residents stay prepared and gives them some form of control when the natural disaster actually happens. Most importantly, it maps out a route that residents can take in case of a hurricane.
The state of New York also offers business recovery assistance to individuals whose business was destroyed by natural disasters such as hurricanes. This form of assistance caters to business within the area should they experience physical damage to their premises for reasons beyond their control. Notably, it is important that the damage incurred actually limits the business’ ability to make to generate income. This initiative was started to help New Yorkers rebuild after large calamities struck. The approach is crucial to society because it is a step that guides the restoration of the economy after a hurricane.
New York business owners can apply for business recovery assistance on the New York site. Here they must file an application that gives details on the type of business, the extent of damage and a professional quotation of the money needed to fix the damage. Next, the applications go through a vigorous vetting process that includes visiting the damaged site and a second assessment of the disaster. After vetting, the applicants who make it through are given state grants that allow them to rebuild their businesses from the ground up. This approach is ideal because it hastens the recovery process of New York’s financial arena.
On the national level, the Federal Emergency Management Agents provide resources for victims in recovery from natural disasters such as hurricanes in cases where state resources are completely exhausted. One resource that FEMA offers to recovery victims is the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System. During hurricanes, it is common for families to get separated in the chaos of rescue missions. This FEMA provided platform allows lost victims to register their information including their location status on a web-based program where their families can look them up. The platform also includes a personal message from the lost individual that makes it easier for their family members to locate them.
As mentioned, the program is web-based meaning it is accessible to individuals online. Notably, the registry is activated at the state’s request to support victims of natural disasters. Additionally, loved ones can inquire about lost family members by calling the FEMA hotline ( Sobel, Coyne, & Leeson, 2007) . During this call, they offer details on their lost loved one and the trained operator helps in the search by typing in key details. This FEMA resource allows recovery by reuniting families and easing the stress of losing a loved one in such a disaster. Most importantly, it gives family members a place to start instead of feeling that they must find the missing person in a haystack. With this in mind, FEMA can support the local communities from disaster.
Another resource offered by FEMA during the recovery period of a natural disaster is housing. This is done on a short-term scale and a long-term scale. FEMA organizes temporary shelter in voluntary faith-based or community-based facilities. For instance, they may organize tents with beddings in churches or social halls. Here people are offered food, clothing, and shelter until they can return to their homes when the natural disaster dies down. On the other hand, FEMA also offers long-term housing options for victims that cannot return to their homes ( Roberts, 2016) . Such an occurrence is common during hurricanes where some areas remain flooded and houses suffer total damage.
FEMA requires individuals requiring housing assistance to apply on the FEMA website with specific requests. Consequently, the organization offers a variety of services related to housing. As already mentioned, they offer temporary solutions in churches or community-owned facilities. On top of that, they offer repair services that help victims of natural disasters salvage their homes. FEMA gives grants that facilitate finding a new home or rebuilding after hurricanes or floods to help people return to proper housing instead of remaining at the temporary facilities for too long. This approach is very welcome because after large-scale disasters the victims find difficulty in returning to their residence.
Advertisement and Organization of Mental Health Support
It is clear that New York and FEMA successfully offer physical support to sustain businesses, and families recovering from natural calamities. While this benefits the community, more effort to support the victim’s mental health and trauma is necessary. All disaster takes an emotional toll on victims because they endure high levels of stress. Not only do they lose their property but also watch pain and suffering of their family members, they lose close friends and must cope with all these emotions. For this reasons, the state of New York and FEMA must organize and advertise meaningful health and trauma support for the victims of disasters.
One way to provide such support is through counseling. These organizations must create a platform where victims can access professional assistance from counselors, and psychologists that offer advice suggestions on how to deal with the struggles of a disaster. Similar to other resources offered by both entities, the information of how to reach this professional help should be availed on platforms such as the organization’s websites. For the success of such a program, it is paramount to take on a skilled group of advocates who properly understand the issues that disaster victims face and know how to deal with the problems as well.
Secondly, I would recommend that New York and FEMA have prior trained counseling volunteers who can aid in the promotion of mental well-being after disasters. The state and national responders would choose and train individuals from the community to help their neighbors or family members cope with the emotional and mental stress of these disasters. Having trained community members empowers the society to identify the symptoms of anxiety or depression that are common in such situations. It allows the individuals to take control in such situations and work together to overcome the adversities.
The government must advertise these services if they will be effective in the recovery process. One way to achieve effective advertisement is the use of mass media. Television and radio remain very effective tools in getting information across ( Bonanno, Galea, Bucciarelli, & Vlahov, 2007) . Therefore, the training programs for volunteer counselors and the platforms to reach professional counselors should be mentioned on these platforms. Social media is specifically a more effective tool for the advertisement of these services. On this platform, information reaches a larger mass of people at a higher speed. Therefore, mental wellness programs can be advertised and executed in a timely fashion.
In conclusion, disaster management is a wide docket. Therefore, there is always room for improvement as far as resources for post-disaster are concerned. There are various elements that the authorities must stay concerned about. Therefore, communities must be encouraged to empower themselves in case of a disaster. The government on a state and national level must delegate the post-disaster responsibility to the community level. Notably, the resources available have sustained millions of disaster and thus the programs are necessary and effective in their right.
References
Simon, R., & Teperman, S. (2011). The World Trade Center attack: lessons for disaster management: Critical Care .
Bonanno, G. A., Galea, S., Bucciarelli, A., & Vlahov, D. (2007). What predicts psychological resilience after disaster? The role of demographics, resources, and life stress.
Roberts, P. S. (2016). FEMA after Katrina: Policy Review , (137), 15.
Sobel, R. S., Coyne, C. J., & Leeson, P. T. (2007). The political economy of FEMA: did reorganization matter. Journal of Public Finance and Public Choice , 17 (2-3), 49-65.
