On 8/4/2019 7:45 PM, Jeff Zeitlin wrote:
> Suppose that last night, there was a major earthquake (Richter 7 or 8+) in
> (say) Bangladesh. Naturally, as soon as everyone knows what the affected
> area is, there will be a massive movement of aid of all types.
>
> Question, for those who have watched this sort of response:
>
> Assume that orders to move people and resources are given immediately. How
> long would it be before...
>
> 1. NGOs such as ICRC and MSF would be on-scene and providing effective aid?

It depends.  It could be as quick as 12-24 hours for first response
teams to several days depending on infrastructure damage.  You need to
get your people to the location, and do so in a transport that can use
what's left.  Think more "C-130" than "747" for transport. For effective
aid, you ill need a steady stream of supplies which will also be
dependent on infrastructure.

> 2. A US aircraft carrier (and appropriate support) would be on-scene and
> providing effective aid?

Depends where they were when the event happened and whether their
intended use is more important/necessary than relief efforts are. Assume
that if it steams @20kts, that's about 480 miles a day.

>
> Relevant question, Traveller:
>
> Considering what a US aircraft carrier can do in such a case (google,
> "aircraft carrier pin drop"), what would be the equivalent starship type?

Fleet Carrier or larger DN.  I don't know if I'd say any of the canon
ships have the same level of relief capabilities that a current US CVN
or assault carrier has due to the ship being self contained (i.e. no
topside decks where you can operate without a vacc suit) and the ship
being designed for one job with ever cubic meter being used for that job.

--
Kurt Feltenberger
xxxxxx@thepaw.org/xxxxxx@yahoo.com
“Before today, I was scared to live, after today, I'm scared I'm not living enough." - Me