So good to hear about the amazing generosity of donors and the influx of supplies and personnel to Haiti. Yet I am frustrated by the slow and chaotic distribution to the field. I know there are tremendous barriers due to the destruction and the lask of functional civic institutions and infrastructure in Haiti.
Still, for the future, I'd like to see the world's nations create a crisis response plan for these high-destruction, high-casualty crises that is nimble, quick and has machinery/personel that can transcend these obstacles - ie, more helicopters that can be quickly transported anywhere the world; personnel that can be helicoptered in and are equipped to manage crowds at distribution points, etc.
As for rescue equipment, that is more difficult. Still, good brains can imagine and create machinery that can be transported by helicopter in pieces and assembled on location, or those that can actually maneuver across earthquake-devastated terrain.
At least something to ponder, eh? So many brilliant minds out there creating appropriate technologies for developing countries could also create technologies for FAST disaster response.
Thought-provoking pic from Engender Health
Pregnant woman is carried to the nearest clinic in Guinea.