Limitations to the use of military resources for foreign disaster assistance

The recent increase in the use of military resources for foreign disaster assistance has raised questions about the appropriateness of this role for the military. Argues that using the military for foreign disaster assistance is inappropriate in most cases. The military’s concepts and methods of operation are contrary to the supportive and participative concepts of disaster assistance. Without a significant change in the way the military functions, their involvement in foreign disaster assistance is justified in only the rare catastrophic disaster or where truly unique capabilities are required.