Written by Robin Duffy, Operations Specialist
The world is no stranger to crises. History is filled with moments where humanity has been forced to confront nature’s fury, the consequences of political instability, or the devastating impact of unforeseen disasters. Yet, as we move deeper into the twenty-first century, the nature of these challenges is shifting. Climate change is rewriting the patterns, frequency, and intensity of natural disasters as well as the regions they impact. Armed conflicts are creating new waves of displacement, and technological advancements are adding layers of complexity to crisis management—from media outreach to the sophistication of response efforts. In this ever-evolving landscape, with some degree of predictability regarding climate-driven crises, preparedness is not just desirable—it is fundamental to ensuring business continuity and mitigating risks.
The Climate Crisis and Its Unrelenting Impact
Hurricanes, wildfires, and floods have always existed, but today, they are occurring in more regions with a frequency and intensity that previous generations never witnessed. What were once considered "once-in-a-century" disasters are now happening once a decade or even annually, with record-breaking events occurring year after year.
In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, it left an unprecedented level of devastation in its wake. The flooding of New Orleans, combined with the failure of emergency response systems, resulted in a crisis of unimaginable proportions, leaving thousands homeless and destitute.
In 2016, the wildfires in Fort McMurray, Canada, forced the evacuation of an entire city. Over 80,000 residents fled their homes, many with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. The challenge was not only to ensure people’s physical safety but also to provide them with the information and support needed to survive and recover from the crisis.
Today, natural disasters continue to wreak havoc, with the ongoing devastation caused by fires in Los Angeles serving as a stark reminder of how quickly nature can turn on communities. In a matter of hours, homes, businesses, and entire neighbourhoods have been reduced to ashes, leaving thousands displaced and reliant on emergency response systems that must be both agile and compassionate. Recent catastrophic floods in Libya, earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and typhoons in Southeast Asia further demonstrate the relentless power of nature and the pressing need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and response.
Crises like these reinforce the same message: the time to prepare is before the storm clouds gather, before the fire spreads, before the water rises, and before the crisis hits. Organisations and governments must invest not only in infrastructure but also in systems that prioritise human support including mental wellbeing, ensure clear communication, and enable decisive action when the unthinkable happens.
Conflict and Crisis: Navigating Political Instability
Disasters are not always natural. Wars, civil unrest, and geopolitical tensions create emergencies that unfold in real time, leaving people scrambling for safety. Unlike weather-related disasters, forecasting political conflict is much less reliable. Human-made crises erupt suddenly, often leaving those caught in the middle with only moments to react.
When the war in Ukraine began in 2022, chaos gripped the region and impacted the wider world, causing a previously stable ecosystem to implode. Supply chains faltered, energy supplies were disrupted, inflation and the cost of living soared, markets tumbled, businesses contracted, and millions of people were displaced.
The unpredictable nature of human conflict leaves little time to react. When a crisis unfolds, organisations must be ready to act immediately. Preparedness is essential to ensuring organisations can protect themselves effectively. It is crucial to have well-thought-out evacuation plans in place and to ensure those executing them understand their roles. Additionally, robust structures must be established to support those who may have lost all their worldly possessions in an instant.
When Tragedy Strikes Without Warning
Not all crises come in the form of storms or wars. Some strike in an instant, with no warning, often where and when least expected, but each has the potential to leave total physical and emotional devastation in its wake. Terrorist attacks, mass shootings, and large-scale transportation accidents have become tragic realities of modern life. The moments following such incidents are defined by panic, confusion, chaos, bewilderment, and an overwhelming need for information.
In June 2015, a lone gunman disguised as a tourist opened fire on a beach in Sousse, Tunisia. The attack, which targeted vacationers at a five-star resort, resulted in the deaths of 38 people, most of whom were British citizens. In the immediate aftermath, thousands of people across the world feared for their loved ones, desperate for answers and gripped by the scenes of the attack broadcast by the media.
Beyond the initial chaos, another challenge emerged: handling personal effects. The attack left behind nearly 1,400 items belonging to the victims, from phones and wallets to jewellery, personal mementos, identity cards, and passports. Recovering, cataloguing, and returning these items was vital. For many families, receiving a loved one’s belongings was a final connection and a vital piece of closure in an otherwise unthinkable tragedy.
The necessity of rapid response extends beyond acts of violence. In 2015, when the pilot of a commercial airliner crashed the aircraft into the French Alps, 150 lives were lost in an instant. The tragedy sent shockwaves across the aviation industry, raising questions about airline security and pilot mental health. But for the families of the victims, the immediate concern was understanding what had happened, recovering the remains of their loved ones, and navigating the legal and emotional aftermath.
In recent months, aviation disasters across multiple regions, including the United States, Canada, South Korea, and Azerbaijan, have underscored the ongoing risks associated with air travel. These incidents highlight the necessity for robust crisis response systems, ensuring that emergency response plans, recovery efforts, and family support mechanisms are in place long before tragedy strikes. The impact of such events lasts well beyond media attention. For most, it is a life-changing experience from which they may never fully recover. Support during, and for many years afterward, is a crucial part of crisis management and family support.
Looking Ahead: Technology, Preparation, and Compassion
While the world is unpredictable, we do not have to be unprepared. Technological advancements offer powerful tools: artificial intelligence for risk assessment, real-time data analytics for crisis monitoring, and digital platforms for emergency communication. However, at its core, crisis response is about people. The most sophisticated systems in the world mean nothing if they are not paired with empathy, clear leadership, and a commitment to helping those in need.
Organisations that prepare today will be the ones that can respond effectively when the unexpected happens. Kenyon International Emergency Services has spent over 118 years on the frontlines of crisis response, navigating the chaos that follows hurricanes, terrorist attacks, aviation disasters, and large-scale evacuations. Every incident is different, yet the lessons learned from past responses continue to shape how organisations, governments, and communities can prepare for the unexpected.
Kenyon has repeatedly seen that the most effective responses come from organisations that are proactive rather than reactive. Being prepared means not only having the right technology but also ensuring that teams are trained, that communication channels are established, and that there is a clear plan for handling the human impact of any crisis.
To learn how Kenyon can help your organisation prepare for the unexpected, contact our emergency planning experts at kenyon@kenyoninternational.com.