FEBRUARY 3, 2023 – It is common knowledge that one of the military’s main responsibilities is to protect civilians from harm in the event of a disaster or a war. But how many people actually know what the military’s role is when they intervene after a crisis? When you think of military intervention, you might think of combat and destruction, but you are less likely to think of sanitation stations, evacuation, and rebuilding. Today, we will look at these three roles of the military in disaster management and response. Read on to understand better the military’s role following a disaster, whether it is natural or due to human factors.
Portable Sanitation Stations
You might not think of the military as being an essential provider of sanitation stations and portable restrooms, but this is actually a key element of disaster management and response. In the wake of a disaster, the emergency relief needed on a site includes access to hand sanitizing stations, safe places to dispose of waste, and tents where triage medical practices can take place. This is vital for preventing infections and illnesses from spreading due to a lack of hygiene and sanitary practices on site.
War zones and natural disaster sites are prime locations for diseases to spread and infections to set in, so this is a crucial role of the military during crisis management and response.
Evacuation
On top of providing sanitary aid, the military can also help populations to evacuate an area following a disaster or during a war. When a foreign military intervenes overseas, they will commonly aid in evacuation processes so that fewer civilians are left in harm’s way. Whether the situation involves an active war zone, a natural disaster site, or a nuclear disaster, for instance, evacuations are likely and can be challenging to manage. This is why an organized, powerful, and well-connected presence like the military is needed.
(Re)building Schools and Hospitals
Another essential role for the military in a crisis is building or rebuilding schools and hospitals to help civilizations continue with everyday life and protect their citizens. Schools are essential for the continued advancement of societies, while hospitals are necessary for the health and well-being of individuals. Foreign militaries have built schools and hospitals in Afghanistan in the past, for instance, in an attempt to alleviate the challenges of Taliban rule in the country. Schools and hospitals can also be rebuilt following an airstrike to get societies back to the way they were before the attack.
Now you know what the role of the military is following a disaster, you have a better understanding of the layers of crisis management and response. We have looked at the setup of portable bathrooms, sanitizing stations, and triage tents, as well as the evacuation of civilians and the building or rebuilding of schools and hospitals. When you think of the military, it is easy to think of combat and explosions, but you should also consider its essential role in rebuilding and protecting. Disaster management and response is a very important part of the military’s role in society, at home, and overseas.