by Hla Min
Updated : Apr 2026
It is sad to learn about disasters happening around the world.
Several are natural disasters. A few are man-made disasters.
Despite advantages in technology, there is no reliable and cost-effective system yet to predict and/or prevent disasters.
There are general predictions like “the coming of Doom’s Day”.
Some are serious about “nuclear wars” (and similar scenarios of “Apocalypse”) and spend exorbitant money to order or build underground hideouts in remote places and also extensive “evacuation plans”.
There are some predictions based on past data. e.g. “The next big earthquake is due. You should take extra care since you are living on a fault line.”
A few could not and would not leave their homes even when the authorities issued “mandatory evacuation”. Some evacuated, but they when they returned they found their houses missing or being vandalized.
Disaster recovery is not simple.
The countless lives lost to Cyclone Nargis and its aftermath could have been minimized with proper planning and mobilization of the rescue teams.
Kudos to the individuals and organizations that offer “disaster relief funds”. But, disaster relief is at the tail end.
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) added :
Disasters, by nature or man – made, happen all over the world, more so as the so-called climate change and population explosion exacerbated the conditions.
In the US, several governmental, NGO and private/public organizations are stepping up their efforts to educate, prepare, assist and mitigate the people impacted by all forms of disasters.
I just opened up my disaster backpack this morning, in the process of inspecting, refreshing and refilling the contents in there.
There are several websites, ready.gov/kit, Redcross, FEMA Apps which will explain what items you would need in this emergency kit, survival and medical supplies, food among others.
Some years back, there was a website called threefoldthreeway, explaining these items as well. They initially thought you would need at least three days with off supplies & food before the rescue folks contact you.
Some disasters in the past decade taught us that three days may not be enough in many circumstances, and now recommend to have two-weeks worth of supplies and food.
The region that I live has been overdue for severe, 8.0+, earthquake by the experts.
I do have enough supplies of food and water but I need to collect toilet facilities, like cardboard toilet, shower facilities among several items.
Update
Some Disasters
- Cyclone Nargis
- Earthquake — Sagaing & Mandalay
- Wild Fires — Southern California
