EMC Chair 2015 | Panel Discussion: Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
Channel: U.S. Naval War College
Date: 2015-03-31

EMC Chair Symposium on Maritime Power and International Security
March 25, 2015

The U.S. military is routinely called upon to assist the U.S. Agency for International Development in responding to major disasters overseas that threaten the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens, as well as those of other countries. U.S. Armed Forces possess a broad range of rapidly deployable capabilities that have proven critical to life-saving and relief efforts during complex crises, when other responding organizations’ capabilities have been exceeded or are unable to provide a comprehensive response given the magnitude of the disaster. This panel examines potential strategies, concepts, training opportunities, or organizational changes that the U.S. military sea services can institute to improve the efficacy of civilian-military humanitarian responses. When conducting humanitarian operations during major disasters, how can the U.S. military sea services work more effectively with the various actors in the humanitarian community? Are there any capabilities, training opportunities, or strategies that should be further explored to increase response effectiveness? 

Moderator:
- David Polatty, U.S. Naval War College

Panelists:
- Rear Adm. Colin G. Chinn, U.S. Pacific Command
- Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
- Michael Marx, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- Dr. Joe DiRenzo III, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command

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Disclaimer: The views expressed are the speaker's own and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval War College, the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, or any other branch or agency of the U.S. Government.