Whenever there is the occurrence of natural disasters say the catastrophes of a hurricane, a twister, or a flood the people and property that are affected are overwhelmed. Since millions of people are impacted globally every year, there is an increased centrality in reliable and timely response in disaster situations.
One of the most important factors employed amid these initiatives is Tarpaulin. An easily processed, multi-functional material that is not very costly, tarpaulin is a genuine life-saver for millions of disaster-stricken people.
Continuing with our series of posts on tarpaulin, in this post I will discuss how tarpaulin is particularly essential as a product in the context of disaster relief and how it has been known to save lives in several ways.
What is Tarpaulin?
Tarpaulin or tarp is a very strong material used in making products for usage including polyethylene, canvas, or polyester. Being water-proof, it is hard-wearing, and resistant to wear and tear, and can be used in a number of outdoor uses such as shelters, waterproofing, and as protection.
Tarpaulin Assistance in the Areas of Disaster Management
1. Providing Shelter
Shelter is one of the most basic human requirements that is most severely called for after a disaster has occurred. Tarpaulin can also be used Roth stretched across poles or trees making temporary shelters for the refugees, families who have been affected by disasters by losing their shelters, or even have run for their lives.
Such shelters do not only provide a physically safe environment, but they also provide for safety in the unknown: a normality. They can be easily deployed in such areas and placed by relief workers and volunteers making them an essential part of the disaster relief tool kit.
2. Waterproofing and Flood Protection
Tarpaulin is extremely important as a protective and recovery material after a flood or any other water catastrophe affects homes, buildings, and critical infrastructures.
The use of waterproof tarps can help relief workers avoid exposing disaster victims to the possibility of developing mold on materials brought in for their use or to cases where parts of the houses collapse on them as additional houses collapse due to the disasters. Sometimes, tarpaulin can also act as a floodwater barrier allowing people to prevent further spread of contaminants into other communities.
3. Protecting Food Supplies
Shortage of resources is a major issue in case of disaster because most of the available foods may have been destroyed. They can effectively shield commodities, especially foodstuffs from natural factors such as light from the sun, wind, rain, dust, insects, and other small animals that pose a threat to the commodities.
Such protection will help ensure that food delivered by such relief organizations gets to the needy recipients without compromising on other end goals such as avoiding further wastage and suffering.
4. Restoring Power and Communication
Within the first stages of disaster response, public utilities including electricity and communication are quickly restored. It is also practical to shield sensitive equipment, including generators and satellite communication equipment from rain and flying debris through the use of Heavy Duty Tarpaulin.
To some extent, this protection guarantees that some important resources remain active enabling the workers to coordinate and disseminate information to the affected populations.
5. Maintain Dignity and Privacy
People who have been involved in disasters are not only forced to live in shelters or tents but will also undergo other hardships. Shelter residents and refugees often lack privacy and feel vulnerable in the open structures of tents and such thus the physical and psychological pressures are enormous.
Using tarpaulin, makeshift can be made to come up with semi-private places where the survivors can at least find some measure of privacy and dignity in their trying moments. This simple act can go a long way in easing the burden and the torture some of these survivors have to endure, which of course, is good for their healing.
Tarpaulin at Work: Its Consequences
Now that the importance of tarpaulin in disaster operations cannot be disputed, let us focus on some examples.
Decade for example, immediately after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, tarpaulin was used to offer temporary shelter to thousands of affected people. This material was used to bring relief workers to provide immediate shelter solutions and secure properties after the disaster occurred to aid in the saving of lives and recovery processes.
After the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami where more than 230,000 people died in fourteen countries, tarpaulin proved to be very important in areas such as shelter and waterproofing needs of the survivors. The material was useful in curbing the spread of disease and also in avoiding more deaths, and helping with supply delivery.
As observed after the earthquake that struck Haiti in early 2010 and left more than 220,000 people dead, the tarpaulin was used for shelter, to cover food, and to avoid more destruction. It also helped the relief organizations in getting the supplies to the right people, in the right manner and at the right time.
Conclusion
Tarpaulin Sheet is one of the essentials in disaster response operations for which its importance cannot be measured. With a focus on giving shelter and waterproofing to responding to important infrastructures and giving privacy, tarpaulin has a very vital role in aiding the community to regain after the worst effects of natural disasters.
Given the increase in the number and intensity of disasters, relief organizations, and governments must put funds into capacity to aid those in need. Witnessing how tarpaulin and other materials can make such an impact in those people’s lives and by saving lives, we contribute towards a better world.
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