As The death toll from Tuesday's earthquake continues to rise, many problems in Taiwan's disaster relief system have been exposed.
In general, speed doesn't seem to be a problem, but rather the lack of organization. This stems largely from the inflexibility of government officials who only know how to do things "by the book."
This needs to change. Laws and regulations must be made clearer, so that greater flexibility can be afforded. Some suggestions:
1. Clearly establish the role of government agencies in charge of disaster relief and reconstruction at each level.
2. Clearly define responsibilities and set up a reward and punishment system for disaster relief operations.
3. Set up accurate standards for disaster prevention research, risk analysis, and early warning systems. Intensify regular checkups on buildings and public infrastructure.
4. A government agency should conduct regular checkups on all disaster prevention and relief facilities to maintain the quality of life-saving equipment, such as the Central Weather Bureau's seismological stations and the Council of Agriculture's landslide warning systems. The government should also have an accurate inventory of disaster relief equipment and other resources available at all institutions so as to facilitate their deployment in the event of a crisis.
5. Draw up advance plans for emergency shelters.
6. Declare potential disaster areas environmentally sensitive zones and restrict development. Encourage (and provide loans for) reconstruction and renovation of structurally unsound buildings.
7. Improve technological expertise for disaster relief coordination and command, as well as upgrading the skills of rescue workers. Provide training for a professional rescue force.
8. Set up criteria for the relocation of local communities affected by disasters.
9. Set up a strict, impartial disaster evaluation council to handle the allocation of duties, settlement of disputes, and establishment of compensation criteria.
10. Conduct analyses of the causes of disasters to facilitate evaluation of responsibility. Assist victims in seeking compensation or seek compensation on their behalf to speed up reconstruction.
Once there is a designated organization overseeing disaster relief, armed with clear operational standards and procedures for policy implementation, will we be able to ensure disaster relief work becomes more effective.
The Executive Yuan has drawn up a plan for disaster response and relief, which will be overseen by a special office under the National Science Council. The office is expected to coordinate a technology and expertise program between academic and research institutions and disaster relief agencies. Apart from understanding the causes of disasters, prevention work and industry laws, the office will probe into deeper systemic questions of disaster relief work, its social and economic aspects, as well as information and decision-making issues.
Making practical use of research will be important. Good conceptual tools and methods should be turned into administrative rules, organization, procedures, and criteria for action. Also, it takes constant training and supervision. Only solid work can end the shirking of responsibilities and sloppy operations.
Our officials must understand that the well-organized, efficient rescue programs in developed countries are the result of all-round planning, meticulous attention to detail, and strict demands for quality and efficiency. If our officials carry on with their power struggles, sloganeering, and token condolences, then the Taiwanese people will once again have to fend for themselves the next time a disaster comes.
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