United States, National

The considerable size and varied geographic makeup of the United States exposes the country to a variety of natural disasters. Its prominence in international affairs, overseas presence, and sophisticated industrial infrastructure makes it a target for certain human-made catastrophes. As a result, the United States has long been concerned with disaster relief, creating the policies, procedures, and mechanisms to allow it to respond quickly and efficiently to disasters, both domestically and abroad. While historically, disaster relief in the United States has focused primarily on response to certain situations; recently the emphasis has shifted to include mitigation, preparedness, and recovery as well. While certain natural disasters only affect certain regions of the United States, relief for these regions is coordinated through central federal agencies, which in turn coordinate with state and local authorities. The United States also plays a central role in many international organizations that assist with disaster relief, including the Red Cross, the United Nations (UN), and the World Bank.