Militarization of "Natural" Disasters

A Call to Arms   

As rapid intensification of tropical storms, natural disasters, and climate-related risks continue to ravage all communities on Earth, it is important to understand who is addressing and coming to save those who are disproportionately impacted. Disaster response is almost fully made up of military, police, or government personnel who often create unhealthy feedback loops for these communities at risk. The military and police may be the main threat to certain marginalized groups in their home city, but since they are the main addressers of the horrific weather phenomena taking place, many feel the need to be grateful to their oppressors. This aspect of disaster response is referred to as the militarization of natural disasters. 

This aid is not always intentionally evil, and in fact many facets of military support have made disaster relief a more efficient and safer process. The equipment and money funneling into the military can help pinpoint who needs help and where. As climate conditions continue to put innocent people at risk, it is necessary to have many more people on the ground assisting and providing aid. However, it isn’t as simple as relinquishing government mandated support. 

These are not volunteers or first responders; this can be damaging to those who are mistrustful of the government, or have been harmed by systematic oppression their whole lives. After a major fallout such as Hurricane Katrina or more recently Hurricane Helene, those in the area may be perceived as being more likely to begin looting, taking part in criminal activity, or being a general danger. This narrative has racist and xenophobic undertones where generally very poor people of color and their supposed activities are dominating the media coverage of these hurricane relief efforts.

Loyalties and Aid

To further analyze the extent of the militarization of natural disasters, we can look to the root problem. Due to bureaucratic hurdles, the vulnerability, infrastructurally, poverty-based, or even through the relocation programs instituted by the military and government, can create an unjust system. Families are separated, women forced to stay close to their abusers, people are left behind in the wreckage, and homes are left to rot until the end of time. These poverty stricken communities will never get compensation for the damage done by the environment issues the government refuses to address properly. The involvement of the military is often criticized for being an expensive and inefficient relief option that goes against humanitarian principles. Despite military officials being experts in physical and manual laboring, they are often stationed and patrolling in the middle of the streets acting as a threat to the very victims of the floods and storms they should be providing humanitarian support for. For many it looks more like military occupation than valuable assistance. 

"If people believe that the relief allocation process is corrupt or people in authority withhold goods or reward those loyal to them, disaster management decisions can then generate perceptions of social injustice which legitimize dissent and heighten conflict.” (Harvard)

The truth of the matter is that $2.6 trillion has been spent on weather and climate related damage in the U.S. since 1980. In the past three years 60 weather and climate disasters have occurred. We are in a critical time where action is necessary to take preventative measures. Vulnerable communities should be addressed before the storm hits to ensure preparation, and a fairer process of evacuation, land repair, and financial burdens. If highly populated areas continue to be hit by horrific storms, the military should collaborate with paramedics and first responders in the ways that those medical professionals design. 

Private military companies are contracted by the government and often focus more on detaining people they see as threats instead of administering life saving care, rescue missions, or rebuilding initiatives. The reality is, after something as horrific as wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, or major flooding due to tropical storms, entire cities are cleared of any systemic safety checks and civil organization. Clearing that misconception that everyone is taking advantage of the damage made to consumer outlets, and allowing paramedics and volunteers to dispatch in higher volumes may be a more fair system. This is not to say the military should not provide their expertise, rather they should have limited authority and control over these trying situations.