Stafford Act of the United States

Stafford Act of the United States

This Act was passed by Robert T. Stafford. It aims at providing relief on disaster through emergency assistance. It is famously known as “The Stafford Act.” The broader aim of this law is that of bringing orderly and systemic ways of the federal assistance during natural disasters. It mainly operates for states and local governments as they execute their mandates upon the citizens. In the United States, local governments are structured to fit the laws of various states. Each state has a minimum of two independent local government, county, and even municipality. Counties may be further divided into smaller units known as townships. Through the said structure of governance, the peoples’ needs are met on a daily basis. The intention of the congress was to encourage the states and local governments to design a comprehensive strategy on disaster preparedness. Lack of intergovernmental coordination during disasters was seen to be the greatest problem. This law encourages insurance usage to cover and provide the vital federal humanitarian assistance programs for the losses that accompany disaster. This Stafford Act was an amendment of the 1994 Disaster Relief Act.

Through the said law, a declaration of emergency disaster always triggers quick and reliable assistance. This is always in the form of financial or physical assistance and is enhanced through the Federal Emergency Management Agency otherwise known as FEMA. Non-governmental organizations (i.e. the American Red Cross) and other federal agencies are encouraged by law, to work together in times of disaster. Other amendments include the 2000 Disaster Mitigation Act and the 2006 Pets Evacuation and Transportation Act. The congress’ chief intention was to provide continuous, orderly and superior relieve assistance during hardship, through the federal government, to the citizens via state and local governments. The law explains key disaster as any natural catastrophe, flood, fire, and/or explosions that the president determines them to warrant quick assistance from the federal government so as to lift damage or suffering from the victims. Under the said law, the president is authorized to form a disaster preparedness plan that uses the relevant agencies to alleviate suffering. He /she can also give grants to various states so that they can prepare and/or revitalize emergency plans. Systems that warn on disaster is also articulated in the said law. This law also doesn’t leave out the call for pre-disaster hazard mitigation strategies.

The Stafford Act also has a clear structure that is laid down concerning serious disaster and emergency assistance administration. The law also documents serious disaster assistance programs and emergency assistance programs. The emergency preparedness issues are also well documented in the Stafford Act. However, despite the above mentioned articulated issues, the said law also has various demerits or criticism. For instance, through the Institute for Southern Studies, a main criticism is launched based on FEMA’s response to disaster. The Institute for Southern Studies states that, FEMA needs to be given a greater platform to respond to extraordinary devastating disasters such as the Hurricane Katrina. This is so because FEMA has the potential to give grants to states and local governments hit by such disaster. The existence of a red tape caused by bureaucracy was also highlighted by the Institute for Southern Studies. Bureaucracy slows the response process and reduces the effectiveness of the Stafford Act. The other weakness highlighted was that, the provision that requires disaster destroyed buildings to be rebuilt in a similar way before the occurrence of the disaster.

The human rights issues also poke holes into the Safford Act. During recovery efforts and emergencies, the Stafford Act gives no advocacy for the federal government to include the displaced persons in government decision making process. Under normal circumstances, disaster displaces civic participation issues through displacement of voting rights. Unfortunately, the Stafford Act doesn’t address on how to enjoy the above democratic rights’ participation. Medical and housing assistance are addressed by the Act, but no clause admits committing the government to provide the same on mandatory grounds. It should be noted that housing, education, and healthcare are basic necessities and should not be left at the individual discretion of the federal government. Rebuilding of health facilities, provision of housing and education needs to be a responsibility of the government at all times. This should not happen on coercion but rather on free will.

The Stafford Act should have also had touched seriously and widely, on the specific recovery measures for animals, and disabled people. This would make the law more effective and highly acceptable to the United States’ Citizens. Despite Stafford Act being a good law, serious loopholes were discovered, and so, urgent action needs to be considered for efficient dispensation of its mandates and guidelines. A careful crafting of the laws that aim at addressing humanitarian assistance should be done. This means that, in as much as a law might want to address certain ‘hot’ issues that affect the community, key considerations should be given to the art of formulation before any passage is done. Amendments can also act to salvage the situation when a law has already been passed. In conclusion, Stafford Act, is as good as its amendments, and thus, more modifications will make it better day by day.  However, the said amendments should be goal oriented and futuristic in nature. Adherence to the said propositions and criticisms will help to see a better response and preparedness strategy in the United States in future calamities.

 References

Is this your assignment or some part of it?

We can do it for you! Click to Order!

Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you!