What We Do? | Investigations

Hurricane Katrina exposed massive deficiencies in our nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to disasters. “Superstorm” Sandy, Earthquakes in Haiti and Japan, mega-typhoons in the Philippines, and the BP oil spill in the Gulf Region demonstrate that catastrophic disasters can and will continue to occur; however, they do not always have to have such devastating effects. Disasters are often followed by significant media attention and expert policy recommendations aimed at improving preparedness and preventing identified problems from reoccurring.

After 9/11, there was great urgency to implement all of the Commission’s recommendations. Historically, scores of policy reforms are proposed immediately following a disaster and many are ignored, forgotten, or shelved as other “more pressing” issues come to the fore. Once the dust settles and the camera crews pack up and head home, our nation must keep track of the implementation progress of these recommendations.

Investigations

Disaster Accountability Project’s investigations have ranged from reviewing public health standards of care in Florida and Louisiana, to following up on allegations of mismanagement of the American Red Cross Move-In Assistance Program following Superstorm Sandy in New York, to examining evacuation planning in communities that surround U.S. commercial nuclear power plants.