HUMANITARIAN AID DISASTER RESPONSE MISSIONS IN LATIN AMERICA
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Authors
Lindman, Katherine A.
Subjects
HADR
humanitarian aid disaster response
Caribbean
Latin America
disaster relief
hurricane
earthquake
FHA
FEMA
USAID
Nicaragua
Honduras
Puerto Rico
United States Virgin Islands
humanitarian aid disaster response
Caribbean
Latin America
disaster relief
hurricane
earthquake
FHA
FEMA
USAID
Nicaragua
Honduras
Puerto Rico
United States Virgin Islands
Advisors
Darnton, Christopher N.
Date of Issue
2024-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Climate change in the Caribbean has extended the hurricane season, increasing the frequency of sequential, back-to-back hurricanes occurring within weeks of each other. As the region faces heightened vulnerability to natural disasters, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) will play an expanding role in disaster response operations. This thesis evaluates the quality of DoD disaster response through two case studies. The first examines Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in 2017, focusing on military responses in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). The second analyzes Hurricane Eta and Hurricane Iota in 2020, with emphasis on U.S. military efforts in Honduras and Nicaragua. The analysis uses three key metrics: international or bilateral relationships, disaster preparedness training, and resource allocation before, during, and after disasters. Key recommendations for enhancing DoD disaster response include improving temporary infrastructure, training for compounding and complex disasters, and integrating space-based resources to support early warning systems. Conversely, factors contributing to lower-quality responses include the absence of pre-established organizational networks, insufficient disaster training with affected countries, and inadequate climate-resilient infrastructure.
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Thesis
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Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.