Los Angeles wildfires and disaster diplomacy: Can global aid strengthen international relations?

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of natural disasters, nations are increasingly facing shared crises that transcend borders. From Los Angeles wildfires prompting emergency responses from Canada and Mexico, to Caribbean hurricanes and earthquakes in Turkey, disaster diplomacy has emerged as a key tool for international cooperation. But does disaster diplomacy genuinely strengthen international relations, or are such efforts merely short-lived gestures with little long-term impact?

Disaster diplomacy in action

Countries often use humanitarian aid, emergency response, and crisis management as tools to build or repair diplomatic ties, a concept known as disaster diplomacy. Ideally, when one country offers assistance to another in times of need, it fosters goodwill and can open the door to improved bilateral relations.

The international response to the wildfires currently devastating Los Angeles and the surrounding areas is a recent example. The wildfires, which have burned thousands of acres and displaced residents, have triggered emergency efforts from both local and international teams. Firefighting teams from Canada, Mexico, and Australia, nations with extensive experience in wildfire management, have provided support, showcasing the potential of disaster diplomacy in action.

Back in 2023, when an earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, nations that were previously at odds—such as Greece and Turkey—momentarily put aside their differences to offer aid and rescue operations, demonstrating the unifying power of humanitarian response.

The politics of disaster aid

While disaster relief efforts often appear altruistic, they are not always free from political motivations. Nations sometimes use aid as a strategic tool to gain influence. For example, China’s Belt and Road Initiative has included disaster relief efforts as a way to strengthen ties with developing nations, while the United States has historically used foreign aid to solidify alliances and promote democratic values.

But disaster diplomacy can also backfire. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, some critics contended that the humanitarian response of the USA and other Western nations was influenced by strategic interests aimed at enhancing their image in Southeast Asia. A report by the Congressional Research Service noted that while the large-scale US response was unlikely to reverse the decline in the US image abroad since the September 11 attacks, the scale and scope of US assistance could provide a positive example of US leadership and military capabilities. A Pew Research Center report observed that in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim nation where opinions of the USA had soured dramatically after the onset of the Iraq war, positive views of the USA more than doubled, rising from 15% in 2003 to 38% in 2005, following the US humanitarian response to the tsunami. 

In March 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia dispatched medical aid to Italy, including military doctors, ventilators, and personal protective equipment. This initiative, named ‘From Russia with Love’, was met with scepticism by some European officials and media outlets, who questioned Moscow’s geopolitical motives behind the assistance. Concerns were raised that the aid could be a strategic move to undermine NATO and the European Union by portraying Russia as a benevolent ally.

Furthermore, reports emerged suggesting that the Russian mission included military personnel with potential intelligence-gathering objectives, further intensifying suspicions about the true intent of the aid.

Challenges and limitations

Despite its potential, disaster diplomacy is not always successful. Political tensions, bureaucratic delays, and mistrust can hinder cooperation. The strained relationship between the USA and China, for example, has made collaboration on climate-related disasters difficult, despite the two nations facing similar environmental challenges. Additionally, long-term diplomatic progress following disaster relief efforts is not guaranteed. The goodwill generated by temporary assistance often fades as political disputes resurface.

Another challenge is the growing disparity in how countries handle disaster relief. Wealthier nations have the resources to respond effectively and provide international assistance while developing nations often struggle to secure aid even within their own borders. This imbalance raises ethical concerns about who controls humanitarian aid and whether it is distributed equitably.

The future of disaster diplomacy

With climate change accelerating the frequency of natural disasters, nations must rethink how they approach disaster diplomacy. Instead of reactive responses, proactive collaboration on disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and technological innovation in disaster management can foster more sustainable diplomatic ties. International agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and initiatives like the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction provide frameworks for greater global cooperation.

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles, for example, highlight the need for coordinated international strategies to combat wildfire outbreaks. Sharing expertise, resources, and best practices in fire prevention and response could pave the way for stronger transnational partnerships, not only in disaster management but in broader geopolitical relations.

Disaster diplomacy remains a complex and often unpredictable element of international relations. While natural disasters create opportunities for cooperation, their impact on diplomatic ties is rarely permanent. For disaster diplomacy to be more effective, nations must focus on long-term collaboration rather than short-term aid, ensuring that shared challenges lead to meaningful and lasting partnerships. As climate change continues to reshape the global landscape, the future of international relations may increasingly depend on how well nations can work together in times of crisis.