Includes bibliographical references and index.

An effective disaster relief system is crucial / Gilbert Burnham -- The government should not be in charge of disaster relief / Matt Ryan -- Americans need a better understanding of FEMA / Daniel J. Kaniewski -- FEMA needs better operations management / Richard Sylves -- The media can keep the government in check during disaster relief efforts / Rem Rieder -- Hurricane Katrina victims have been forgotten / Deepa Fernandes -- The U.S. response to disaster relief has improved since Hurricane Katrina / USA today -- Disaster relief efforts ignore undocumented workers / Amanda Martinez -- Pets should not be forgotten during natural disasters / Laura Bevan -- International policy is needed to humanely provide disaster relief to reluctant countries / Michael Moran -- The United Nations' humanitarian relief efforts need oversight / Nile Gardiner -- Religious organizations' volunteers make a difference to disaster relief / Ted Olsen -- Disaster relief should aim to improve lives instead of simply restoring them / Alex Steffen -- Tsunami survivors inspired to help Katrina victims / Kris Axtman.

Explores the issues surrounding disaster relief. Presents diversity of opinion on the topic, including both conservative and liberal points of view in an even balance.

Description based on print version record.