We can learn how to tackle disasters from other states

The positive side of disasters is that they offer lessons from which others can learn and prevent future recurrences.

If the lessons are not put to good use, we miss opportunities to make the world a better place.

This year started with a horrific earthquake in Haiti which had devastating consequences.

The world was quick to respond with assistance and even quicker to get fatigued — eventually leaving Haitians to their fate.

Immediately thereafter, there was another earthquake in Chile which the country seems to have addressed fairly quickly and effectively.

Chile has permanent institutions and a sufficient annual budget to address disasters.