United Press International
10-28-2004
Report lauds locals' help in disasters

GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct 28, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Local communities are often better at dealing with the effects of natural disasters than international aid agencies, a new report says.

The annual World Disasters Report released by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says that in the aftermath of a natural disaster, locals are often much more efficient than outsiders, the Voice of America reported Wednesday.

"It is a myth that only Western aid agencies and governments know best," said Eva von Oelreich, head of the federation's Disaster Management ...