In 1999, a massive cyclone hit the Indian state of Orissa, bringing immense destruction in its wake. More than 10,000 people were killed. Last month, a cyclone of similar dimensions hit Orissa, again causing immense destruction. This time, just 15 people died. The huge difference in the death toll can be explained by one factor: in the years before the 2013 cyclone, the Indian authorities had put in place elaborate plans to protect the local population.
As the world’s media reports on the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the lesson of Orissa deserves attention. More than 4,000 people have been killed in the Philippines and the death toll may go higher. The US, Britain and other nations have sent warships to the region to help relieve the suffering.
But while the international rescue effort is necessary and well-intentioned, the brutal reality is that any post-disaster response can only do a limited amount to mitigate the death toll. What really makes the difference in most disasters is how much money governments and donors have invested in the years before the event on “preparedness”. This aspect of humanitarian aid gets too little attention.