This paper attempts to use a readiness/ effectiveness framework to derive lessons learned from two major mother-of-nature disasters: the Kobe earthquake in Japan and the Katrina hurricane in the United States. Arguing that each and every large-scale disaster is unique in nature, it is important to continually improve the set up and operational procedures of rescue efforts. Using post-event reviews, we classify the lessons learned in three areas: response timeliness, communication and coordination, and technological infrastructure. For each of the two developed nations, this post-event analysis helps identify their structural and operational weaknesses and their (in)abilities to set up an effective crisis management system for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR).