DRJ Statement on The Florida Division of Emergency Management
In February 2023 Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature created the “Unauthorized Alien Transportation Program” to be run by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. This legalized and funded his effort to send migrants from the south to other states across the country including Massachusetts, and most recently California. As California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently said, “this is state-sanctioned kidnapping”.
This is a morally reprehensible policy choice and dangerous use of the emergency management system.
Disaster researchers consistently find that one of the most fundamental factors in an effective emergency management program is community trust. In co-opting the state emergency management agency as a tool of oppression, the state of Florida is risking further erosion of trust with the public – particularly undocumented residents, potentially exposing employees to litigation, and putting critical funds in the millions of dollars towards extraneous functions.
Disaster Researchers for Justice stands in solidarity with the people who have been harmed by these actions, and the agencies and organizations in receiving states working to help the migrants upon their forced arrival.
Disaster Researchers for Justice also calls on our colleagues within the profession of emergency management – including the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to call out this egregious action. We ask them to use their substantial influence to help bring the program to an end.
Further, this is an urgent reminder of the need for an enforceable code of ethics for the profession of emergency management that centers the well-being and humanity of all people regardless of citizenship.
DRJ Statement on Train Derailment in East Palestine, Ohio
The Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio last month initiated a complex and often ineffective response. From the beginning, a lack of communication and transparency from responding agencies has created additional stress for the affected communities and paved the way for the spread of widespread misinformation. The response to the train derailment has highlighted the need for a National Disaster Safety Board, which would allow for an independent review of the response.
Disaster Researchers for Justice support the people of East Palestine and the affected areas. We join them in calling for full transparency from the EPA and responding agencies, appropriate widespread testing, reforms to railway safety, and for Norfolk Southern to provide the financial resources for those affected to recover.
DRJ Statement on Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria
On the early morning of February 6, a 7.8 earthquake directly affected Central and South Turkey, and the North and West regions of Syria. Seismic activity has continued since then with the latest 5.6 tremor occurring on February 27th. The catastrophic loss of lives in both countries exceeds 50,000 and 129,491 are reported injured. Additionally, 1.5 million people are homeless in Turkey and Syria, during winter months. This includes Syrians living as refugees in southeastern Turkey.
The massive destruction of infrastructure in both countries has caused severe disruption of existing public services and ongoing response efforts. There have been citizen protests against the Turkish government for not enforcing stipulated earthquake codes through ‘construction amnesties’ and for a lethargic response. In turn, the government has arrested protesters, nearly 200 people accused of substandard construction, and 78 people charged with sharing provocative social media posts. In Syria, response complexities are exacerbated in non-state opposition controlled region. Responder safety is tenuous, and resource access to people in need cannot be assured.
At Disaster Researchers for Justice we express deep sympathy to the people affected in these earthquakes. We stand with the people involved in securing humanitarian-informed response and long-term recovery in both countries.
DRJ Statement on Ukraine
Ukrainian people are living through the devastating invasion of their country in violation of their sovereignty and human rights. Disaster Researchers for Justice stands in determined solidarity with Ukrainians and all people everywhere who are actively opposed to the political decision to invade Ukraine and the injustice of war.
The indiscriminate killing, including children and the elderly, denial of self-determination, and the inhumanity incited by Russia's belligerent president is inextricably woven into ongoing intersecting unjust crises.
On February 24th, when the direct invasion of Ukraine commenced, Ukrainians were experiencing the highest numbers for new COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started. Additionally, the re-emergence of pediatric polio had resulted in a national action plan officially activated in December of 2021 to contain the spread. The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear meltdown and resulting catastrophe (whose impacts on human, animal, and environmental health continue today) became an early battleground, threatening further harm to Ukraine and beyond. The direct and indirect damage to industrial facilities throughout the country threatens to further pollute the air, water, and land.
As Ukrainians defend their freedom in their homeland, the likelihood of nuclear meltdown and radiation, the decimation of Ukrainian health and emergency infrastructure, and the interference with the polio vaccination action plan from a recent outbreak seem imminent. The fighting inhibits the ability of Ukrainians to effectively respond to other crises such as seasonal multi-million dollar flooding, earthquakes, and forest fires and complicates the engagement of climate action.
Already we have seen aggravated disaster outcomes in the form of loss of life, injury, mental health impacts, destruction of culture, the diminished response to COVID-19, and threats of radiation exposure. Over one million people have been forced from their homes to seek safety abroad. We support the acceptance of all refugees seeking safety the ability to cross international borders regardless of nationality.
In the next few weeks, we will be exploring our options for support. We invite your ideas on how we as a community can best support the needs of Ukrainian disaster faculty, researchers, students, and professionals.