Gov´t report faults disaster response

cctv.com 02-24-2006 09:17

In Washington, a White House report says inexperienced disaster response managers, as well as a lack of planning and leadership -- contributed to vast federal government failures during Hurricane Katrina. It also calls Katrina the nation's deadliest natural disaster in nearly 80 years, with damage estimates approaching one-hundred billion dollars.

Speaking at the end of a Cabinet meeting where the 228-page report was released, US President George W. Bush said his government would "learn from the lessons of the past". During a briefing later, a White House homeland security adviser said the White House fell short in cutting through bureaucratic red tape and quickly settling disputes among response agencies. She singled out the Homeland Security Department for lacking fast communication with emergency responders and the public, and also for having an inadequate system for stockpiling supplies ahead of disasters. She also urged better disaster relief coordination among federal agencies before the next hurricane season beginning in June.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com