I think the government are responding more quickly to disasters now. It struck me as odd that during the aftermath of the Tsunami the media had managed to get on the ground, but the government and many agencies had not.
Birmingham has responded well, not just because there are many people with links to the area, but because Birmingham does tend to respond well.
Birmingham has responded well, not just because there are many people with links to the area, but because Birmingham does tend to respond well.
Comments
The media move in small teams - reporter, cameraman, producer/fixer and perhaps a security advisor.
A government response has to identify needs, move personnel, vehicles, heavy-lift aircraft and helicopters around the globe (with all the permissions required for overflight), establish logistics lines and then start shifting the volumes of supplies required.
The media will always be lighter on their feet in these circumstances.
In this instance I think DfID have been far better than the Tsunami.