Essay on Bottom-Up Approach to Disaster Response

A bottom-up approach is a system of response to a disaster where the emphasis is put on building the local capacities to manage disasters other than depending on the centralized system of disaster response from the highest level of governance which has been found not to be timely and effective. The system emphasizes leadership that entails coordination, collaboration, and cooperation between local communities, sub-regional levels and regional as well as national leadership. This is the only way believed that the needs of the local communities will be addressed.

In this system, the state and the local communities participate in the entire process and/or stages of decision making and implementation as far as disaster management is concerned. The system attempts to disregard the idea that once the disaster which is a rare phenomenon - has happened to the community, it cannot recover (Schneider, 1992 p.137).

According to Schneider (1992), the bottom-up system employs an approach that is more inclusive of all sorts of disaster, including those with less impact. This is with an understanding that the minor disaster will affect the community greatly in the long-run. The approach acknowledges the significance of a community in mitigating the outcomes of disasters, regardless of their magnitude. Reliance is put on the capacity of the local community endure or survive a disaster. Therefore, one of the key components of this system is building the capacity of the community.

9/11 Commission Guidance on Preventing Future Terrorist Attacks

Firstly, as a guidance from 9/11 Commission to protect the Americans from future terrorist activities, the report recommended that the country should protect its citizens and prepare from the attacks by having security and intelligence strategy to check on terrorist traveling into the country and conduct thorough screening in all entry points like the border, public buildings among others with biometric identifiers.

Secondly, America should prevent, at all cost, the growth of terrorism-related to Islam. The message of the country to its young generation should offer a better future and not violence compared to terrorists. This way, America will lead as an example in the world in stopping the growth of the terrorist network. The ideals of America and the American people must be known across the world anti-terrorism. Use a strategy that will lead to collaboration with nation friends to lead the war against terrorism as well as manufacture of weapons of mass destruction by other countries.

Lastly, terrorists, their organization and networked must be attacked and be defeated. Destroy their hideouts with the help of those who subscribe to the anti-terrorism agenda. Help countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan build their own capacity and commit to finish terrorists and their sanctuaries as well as confronting the problems facing Saudi Arabia and build relationships which will enhance reforms and protection of our citizens.

References

The 9/11 commission report: Final report of the national commission on terrorist attacks upon the United States. Government Printing Office, 2011.

Schneider, S. K. (1992). Governmental response to disasters: The conflict between bureaucratic procedures and emergent norms. Public Administration Review, 135-145.