From the Frontlines

Deborah Tomasowa—and Mercy Corps—were in Banda Aceh days after last December's tsunami struck, helping deliver aid and return a sense of normalcy to those affected. Nine months later, they now focus on long-term recovery and sustainable development.

Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are at the front lines of disaster relief around the world everyday. Johan Schaar offers insights into how we can be better prepared when the next tsunami, Katrina, or other disaster occurs.

The international women's human rights group MADRE highlights the benefits of channeling relief aid through local community groups—and women in particular.

Governments and aid groups are looking at ways to better use new technologies to improve the coordination and delivery of aid.

The real challenge, in the case of any disaster, is to better integrate foreign and local assistance," says Nir Tsuk. "Ensuring that external resources amplify local efforts is a positive sum game."