Risk Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Risk Management - Case Study Example Experts cite Hurricane Katrina as being among the worst disasters that ever occurred in the history of the US, leading to the loss of over 1800 individuals (Moynihan, 2009). The disaster caused continued flooding, owing to the collapse of the artificial levees. This resulted in a series of industrial damages, pervasive pollution and a cut of critical facilities such as water, energy and communication networks. Moynihan argue that though the response was marred by several failures, it had it positive side. The 9-11 attack prompted the government to form bodies that would prevent and reduce the impacts of such calamities, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FEMA was also in place and its response was significant in handling the calamity (Moynihan, 2009). FEMA had warned of the catastrophe earlier, and the evacuation process was underway. President Bush had affirmed a state of emergency and FEMA initiated its response operation. The evacuation significantly reduced the number of victims of the catastrophe. The magnitude of the catastrophe prompted the intervention of other stakeholders, in a bid to rescue victims and reduce their suffering (Levitt & Whitaker, 2009). As such, various organizations intervened and coordinated in the rescue, evacuation process and the delivering of essential products and services. Private charity organizations also played a significant role in the various forms of the response process. The military response was also critical in assuaging the sufferings of the victims. The large number of the deployed military officials aided the rescue operations, thereby lessening the hard task of the rescue team (FEMA, 2006). This served significantly in improving the relief efforts, hence reducing the number of affected victims. However, though various parties played significant roles in responding to the catastrophe, there several setbacks were evident. For instance, the slow response of the involved parties