When a disaster strikes and the news show images of people in need, it's natural to want to donate; however, before giving it is important to understand that international assistance may not always be needed or welcomed by that country. Currently Chile is allowing only very limited assistance following the February 2010 earthquake.
It may seem impossible that countries would not need outside assistance after a major disaster. It's important to understand that the local government and local aid organizations may be more than capable of reaching those in need.
Disaster response
After a disaster the first people to respond are those closest to the scene. This could include bystanders, neighbors, family, community groups, and local first responders such as search and rescue teams, police, fire department, hospitals, and EMT's.
If it is beyond the local capacity to respond adequately then state/provincial level entities are deployed. This could include the national guard, police and other emergency services from throughout the state and state-wide aid organizations.
If the disaster is too large for state-wide government and regional organizations to respond adequately, then resources are sent from the national level. This could include military units, national aid organizations, and national emergency management bodies such as FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in the US.
International assistance is generally only needed if the scale of the disaster is beyond the ability of the civil society and the government to respond. Because each country is responsible for the health and well-being of their citizens, it is up to each country to decide whether or not they will accept international assistance.
Other countries that have refused international assistance
Chile is not the first country to refuse or limit international assistance after a disaster. Just in the past five years three other countries have done the same.
United States
Following Hurricane Katrina the United States government refused to allow in the search and rescue teams that UN OCHA (The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance) had on standby from dozens of countries around the world. I learned about this from a very irate OCHA staffer while visiting his office in Bangkok a few days later.
Thailand
After the tsunami the Thai government and local aid organizations were able to handle the immediate response themselves. Thailand is a country which regularly provides aid to other countries, therefore the government did not see the need to receive international assistance. After continued requests the government allowed international assistance in two areas, body identification and the development of a tsunami warning system. Even with this clear message over 140 aid organizations came from other countries or were started in the wake of the tsunami.
Myanmar (Burma)
Myanmar rejected international assistance after Cyclone Nargis. Many countries, including the US, attempted to send aid anyway. Much of this was refused entry at the ports. The continued refusals of international assistance led to a discussion amongst the international community as to whether the "humanitarian imperative" (the concept that the need is so great that aid organizations are compelled to provide aid regardless of the situation) justified dropping aid supplies from airplanes against the government's will. Eventually, after much negotiation, some aid was allowed in.
The Chilean Government is prepared for disasters
From a UN press release:
In terms of the response to the earthquake, the rescue and relief effort was "firmly in the hands of the Government of Chile", said Ms. Bragg, repeating what ECLAC Executive Secretary Bárcena told correspondents during a teleconference yesterday, that Chile was a "very strong Government" with strong institutions. She added that the country was probably the best disaster-prepared country in Latin America, explaining that, in that regard, the country's capability to handle the situation needed to be respected.
Advice for donating to Chile
Disasters are prime fundraising opportunities for aid organizations. This means that the charities may solicit donations to respond to the earthquake in Chile before determining whether their assistance is needed. Before giving verify that the organization is either legally registered in Chile or has a clear agreement with a Chilean charity (make sure this is mentioned on the recipient organization's website) to provide financial support.
Just because an organization wants to help, it does not mean their help is welcomed or needed. Only fund those organizations officially allowed to assist in the rebuilding efforts. We need to respect the country's capability to handle the situation themselves.
Follow Saundra Schimmelpfennig on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Good_Intents
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