Abstract
The 2010 Haitian Earthquake resulted in approximately 220,500 casualties and 1.8 million people displaced. Similarly, the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 caused catastrophic effects in the southeast region of the globe devastating more than twelve countries in less than ten minutes. In Indonesia alone, the tsunami caused 225,000 deaths and left 1.7 million individuals displaced. Both of these disasters were regarded as national emergencies for their respective countries. During the initial recovery period, Haiti and Indonesia faced serious relief challenges that led them to ask the international community for assistance. As one of the major global contributors of aid in natural disasters, the U.S. responded to both of these cataclysms. This research questioned whether U.S. involvement in one disaster was more substantial and extensive than in the other. The theory tested was that the U.S. assistance received by Haiti for the earthquake was greater than the support accepted by Indonesia. The methodology used included the review and analysis of congressional briefings and reports as well as executive department documents. The analysis of this material showed that the U.S. government offered symmetrical responses to these disasters, but the aid delivered was affected by the differing attitudes of the participants. Indonesia placed firm limitations on the delivery of international aid, while Haiti welcomed U.S. assistance without restrictions. The result was greater participation by the U.S. military in Haitian relief and additional American legislation. Thus, the U.S. support received by Haiti was more substantial and extensive than the assistance accepted by Indonesia.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Timothy Dixon
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-12-2013 1:00 PM
End Date
4-12-2013 5:30 PM
A Comparative Study of the United States Response to Haiti's 2010 Earthquake and Indonesia's Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004
Alvin Sherman Library
The 2010 Haitian Earthquake resulted in approximately 220,500 casualties and 1.8 million people displaced. Similarly, the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 caused catastrophic effects in the southeast region of the globe devastating more than twelve countries in less than ten minutes. In Indonesia alone, the tsunami caused 225,000 deaths and left 1.7 million individuals displaced. Both of these disasters were regarded as national emergencies for their respective countries. During the initial recovery period, Haiti and Indonesia faced serious relief challenges that led them to ask the international community for assistance. As one of the major global contributors of aid in natural disasters, the U.S. responded to both of these cataclysms. This research questioned whether U.S. involvement in one disaster was more substantial and extensive than in the other. The theory tested was that the U.S. assistance received by Haiti for the earthquake was greater than the support accepted by Indonesia. The methodology used included the review and analysis of congressional briefings and reports as well as executive department documents. The analysis of this material showed that the U.S. government offered symmetrical responses to these disasters, but the aid delivered was affected by the differing attitudes of the participants. Indonesia placed firm limitations on the delivery of international aid, while Haiti welcomed U.S. assistance without restrictions. The result was greater participation by the U.S. military in Haitian relief and additional American legislation. Thus, the U.S. support received by Haiti was more substantial and extensive than the assistance accepted by Indonesia.
