Disaster Accountability Project (DAP)

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About this facility

Mission

from website: MORE ABOUT DAP The Disaster Accountability Project (DAP) was founded in 2007 and continues to serve as the only organization solely committed to providing long-term independent oversight of U.S. disaster management systems. Our past successes demonstrate how informed and proper oversight prove vital in ensuring that federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations live up to their life-saving obligations before, during, and after emergency crises. Through our core volunteer staff, DAP engages a dedicated community to advance policy research and advocacy, promote transparency, and encourage the public to participate in meaningful oversight and community-based conversations. The health of our democracy is contingent upon informed and engaged citizens asking questions and providing detailed oversight. In fact, nearly every federal agency receives regular feedback, testimony, comments, and expert information from well-established nongovernmental organizations. In contrast, when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, no such organization existed for FEMA, which was responsible for coordinating over twenty agencies and organizations. The recent earthquake in Haiti and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico prove that such catastrophic disasters can and will keep occurring. Such events, coupled with the threat of climate change increasing the severity of storms and other natural hazards, demonstrate the inherent need for dedicated policy oversight of mitigation, preparedness, response, relief, and recovery responsibilities. A strong Fourth Estate typically provides strong oversight after a disaster and often prompts action when gaps are identified. Major cuts to traditional media, however, necessitate additional “hands on deck,” as Anderson Cooper can’t be everywhere. Such disasters and future threats should not always translate to devastating social and environmental effects as better preparedness could reduce damage, suffering, and loss of human life. That is why disasters are usually followed by calls for sweeping reforms and countless policy recommendations. But once the dust settles and the camera crews pack up and head home, we need someone to keep track of the implementation progress of these policy recommendations. On a shoe-string budget and in little time, DAP has become the lead independent non-profit providing public oversight to the U.S. disaster management system. Now, we have large shoes to fill and critical work to do to ensure improvements are made and life-saving safety-nets work. What We Do• Improve relief delivery. DAP improves coordination between relief organizations and enhances resource distribution by improving transparency of relief organizations. DAP’s report on transparency in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake has received international media attention, and will raise standards of transparency in relief. • Improve disaster policy. DAP tracks thousands of post-disaster policy recommendations. We successfully advocated for the creation the Office of Disability Integration at FEMA. Millions of disabled Americans now have a senior-level advocate at FEMA. • Leverage citizen oversight to improve community preparedness. DAP efforts have inspired numerous public conversations and have also induced local government’s and community leaders to revise existing disaster plans. • Identify and expose critical gaps in disaster services. DAP’s 24/7 real-time hotline serves as a listening device for the public to report breakdowns in relief delivery on the ground.

Service

Temporary

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