The rescue and relief of the trapped, injured and homeless requires a great deal of coordination and pre-planning of activities and the availability of equipment, manpower trained in rescue operations, emergency reserves of bulk food (particularly concentrated baby food), and medical supplies. In many countries the administrative provisions are lacking or only exist in a rudimentary form. When a disaster strikes, ad hoc bodies are created which lack experience, knowledge and organization and may therefore be of questionable effectiveness.
The pattern of cyclone, flood, and famine which is observed, must inevitably continue, with devastating effect upon the poorest of the world's people. Totally inadequate standards of preparedness against clearly defined threats have been identified.
A train crash involving carbon dioxide release occurred at Stafford in the UK in 1996. A resident living nearby reported to white smoke entering the house to emergency services but was simply not believed.