what are the key areas where engineers contribute to the relief operations for natural disasters?

Question

The role of engineering in disaster relief
We’ve seen war and famine in Africa, the Indian Ocean tsunami, the earthquake in Kashmir … So what are the key areas where engineers contribute to the relief operations in the short and the long term? What criteria should be applied in deciding the level and type of help? Are there ethical issues to be faced? How can UK engineers get involved?

Answer 1

I am a Civil Engineer. I worked for the US Navy Seabees. When the Tsunami struck Southeast Asia, we sent a team of 100 Construction workers with Engineers and Heavy Civil Engfineering equipment. We did damage assessment, drilled water wells, used equipment to repair railways and lift beached fishing boats back into the sea.

After Hurricane katrina, we did debris clearance and construction of shelters for relief workers.

Answer 2

In most disaster, civil engineers play a big role and so are the other disciplines.

Assessment of the safety of the survivors and the rescuers is a prime important, then the access to the site.

Long term would be the responsibility to be vigilant, prevention of disasters need the local support, if the people in the area abuse there resources, disaster will always pose danger

Engineers can help by applying there expertise during any construction or planning with considering safety and protection of the environment.

When such disaster should occur, being available on site and maintaining a safe environment to work would be a great help.

Answer 3

I think engineering could be more useful for the prevention of disasters.
I.e. by building protective structures, by improving the criteria for reconstruction of affected areas, etc.