A STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RELIEF

The topic of research is an analysis of the intelligence community’s (IC) roles and responsibilities during catastrophic events in overseas locations. The research has involved gathering and studying journal and news articles about IC involvement in disaster relief and national security protection during disastrous events. A comparative analysis was done from the gathered information and examination of two cases -the 2010 Pakistan Floods and the July 7, 2005 London Bombings. Analysis of these events led us to conclude that the IC’s function in HA/DR operations was in line with the IC’s primary function. Further, it played an important role in mitigating suffering while countering potential human threats in the midst of these chaotic events. Finally, we conclude that the IC’s involvement in natural disasters is an effective combination of support to disaster-relief efforts and a furthering of national-security interests because in a man-made disaster, relief and policy efforts are intertwined.