Hurricane Relief Operations in the Caribbean: Is the Use of the Military in Hurricane Relief Operations
Abstract
Considering meteorological projections, the frequency and magnitude of hurricanes in the Caribbean appear more probable in the future. Correspondingly, this necessitates a more organized response to such threats of devastation. Additional hurricane relief operations increase resource consumption and reduce already scarce resources that are required for competing foreign and domestic policy objectives. This study examines hurricane relief operations to determine if there is an appropriate role for the Armed Forces of the Caribbean in managing the response to hurricanes in the Caribbean Islands. The author examines the existing Caribbean agreement that established the Caribbean Disaster Response Agency (CDERA) and compares it to an agreement that exists in the United States of America, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This comparison reveals organizational structural strengths and deficiencies that may facilitate or impede the role of the Caribbean military in providing assistance to the civil authorities during hurricane relief missions. Finally, it studies the deficiency that exists in the Caribbean military's ability to perform hurricane relief missions and the counter arguments against an appropriate role of the Caribbean military. The author concludes that there is an appropriate role for the Armed Forces of the Caribbean in hurricane relief operations and recommends a new policy approach for achieving this objective. (2 tables, 2 figures, 40 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 18, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA429074
Entities
People
- George N. Robinson
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College