Response to Earthquakes (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)

Short-term Response & Relief

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.044

• The emergency response is the actions taken immediately after a hazard event such as an earthquake:

  • Searching collapsed buildings to rescue people who are trapped
  • Providing medical assistance
  • Distribution of food and water
  • Ensuring that people have shelter
  • Clearing rubble and other debris

• This response has to be coordinated as many NGOs and government organisations, including the armed forces, may be involved

• The stages of hazard response can be seen in Park's hazard response curve

Park's hazard response curve

Case Studies: Nepal & Japan

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.044

Case Study

Nepal - A developing country

• The short-term response was criticised for being too slow:

  • The epicentre was not reached by rescue workers for 24 hours
  • Evacuations of the critically wounded took 5 days

• Over US$1 billion in international aid from India and China

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided a US$3 million grant for immediate relief efforts

• Three Chinook helicopters; 100 search and rescue; medical workers

• Use of GIS to coordinate the response

• Many NGOs sent aid workers, food, water and medical supplies

• Tent cities in Kathmandu provided shelter for people made homeless

• Nepalese army sent to worst-hit areas

• Inflatable field hospitals set up to treat the injured

Case Study

Japan - A Developed Country

• Self Defence Forces sent in immediately to organise food, water, shelter and medicines
• Within 48 hours a member of parliament was designated to coordinate the relief effort
• UK sent search and rescue teams
• NGOs provided shelter, food, water and medical aid
• A state of emergency was declared at the Fukushima nuclear power plant
• Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued warnings just before the more damaging S waves - this gave people a chance to get out of buildings
• A tsunami warning was issued giving people 20 minutes to get to safety
• Trained emergency crews and the army were on site rapidly
• Temporary shelters were set up in schools and other public buildings

Exam Hint Remember that although there is a short-term response in all countries where there is a natural hazard event, the response will be slower and often less well organised in developing countries. This delay often increases deaths and recovery time.