PAHO NEWS: Press Releases, Job Vacancies, and Other Information from the
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) via the Canadian Society for
International Health (CSIH) [log in to unmask]; Technical Representative in
Canada for PAHO
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Myths and Realities of Natural Disasters
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Washington, Nov. 6, 1998 --The recent destruction wrought by Hurricane
Mitch in Central America points up, according to experts at the Pan
American Health Organization, the realities of natural disasters.
Numerous myths abound about natural disasters, but the realities are
different, according to Dr. Claude de Ville, Chief of PAHO's Emergenc
Preparedness and Disaster Relief Program, which is working closely with
the affected countries to organize relief efforts.
One popular myth, says Dr. de Ville, is that "Foreign medical volunteers
with any kind of medical background are needed.. But the reality is that
the local population almost always covers immediate lifesaving needs.Only
medical personnel with skills that are not available in the affected
country may be needed." Other myths, PAHO says, and the corresponding
realities are:
MYTH: Any kind of international assistance is needed, and it's needed now!
REALITY: A hasty response that is not based on an impartial evaluation only
contributes to the chaos. It is better to wait until genuine needs have
been assessed.
MYTH: Epidemics and plagues are inevitable after every disaster.
REALITY: Epidemics do not spontaneously occur after a disaster and dead
bodies will not lead to catastrophic outbreaks of exotic diseases. The key
to preventing disease is to improve sanitary conditions and educate the
public.
MYTH: Disasters bring out the worst in human behavior.
REALITY: Although isolated cases of antisocial behavior exist, the majority
of people respond spontaneously and generously.
MYTH: The affected population is too shocked and helpless to take
responsibility for their own survival.
REALITY: On the contrary, many find new strength during an emergency,as
evidenced by the thousands of volunteers who spontaneously united to sift
through mud in search of victims after the hurricane in Nicaragua and
Honduras.
MYTH: Locating disaster victims in temporary settlements is the best
alternative.
REALITY: It should be the last alternative. Many agencies use funds
normally spent for tents to purchase building materials, tools, and other
construction-related support in the affected country.
MYTH: Things are back to normal within a few weeks.
REALITY: The effects of this disaster, says Dr De Ville, will last a long
time. Disaster-affected countries deplete much of their financial and
material resources in the immediate post-impact phase. Successful relief programs gear their operations to the fact that international interest wanes as needs and shortages become more pressing.
For further information contact: Daniel Epstein, tel (202) 974-3459,
fax (202) 974-3143 Office of Public Information, PAHO, http://www.paho.org.
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Safe Water, Medicines, Insecticides Greatest Needs After Mitch
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Washington, Nov. 6, 1998-- Safe water, medicines, insecticides and waste
disposal are the highest priority needs in the Central American countries
affected by Hurricane Mitch, say Pan American Health
Organization disaster experts.
Contrary to popular belief, epidemics and plagues don't usually follow
natural disasters, according to experts at PAHO, which is working with the
health sector in Honduras, Nicaragua, and other Central American countries
to reduce the risk of outbreaks that could arise as a result of Mitch.
Dr. Hugo Prado, of PAHO's Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief
Program, says, "after a disaster such as Hurricane Mitch, outbreaks and
epidemics are not automatic. Public health problems are a consequence of
other issues, such as the destruction of water treatment plants."
Honduras and Nicaragua have reported that they need medicines,
insecticides and equipment for mosquito control, waste disposal systems,
health education and communication assistance, hospital
equipment, and materials for water purification including granular
hypochloride, 5-gallong plastic water jugs, and tablets to measure residual
chlorine.
Health problems most likely to initially occur are diarrheal diseases, as a
consequence of the use of unsafe water, Dr. Prado emphasizes. Later on,
the confinement of a large number of people in crowded
shelters or in the homes of family and friends can generate problems such
as diarrheal diseases because of unsafe water or food, as well as skin
rashes, conjunctivitis, and other problems related to crowding.
Leptospirosis, a disease transmitted by the urine or feces of rodents, can
be a problem in flooded areas as well, he said. A health threat that can
develop later on is the uncontrolled proliferation of vectors
like the mosquitoes that can transmit diseases such as dengue fever,
malaria and others.
According to Dr. Prado, the response of the health sector to a disaster
such as the one that affected Honduras, Nicaragua, and Belize can usually
be described in 3 steps. The first step, he says, is the
immediate life-saving first aid to the people hurt in the disaster. The
second step, and the most important one, is to provide safe water to as
much of the population as possible, to reduce the risk of disease
transmission. The last step, which can only be attained in the long run, is
to put the health system of the country back on its feet, repairing damages
in hospitals, clinics, and health centers, and ensuring that the basic
sanitation infrastructure is repaired.
PAHO is working with the Central American countries most affected by
Hurricane Mitch to coordinate foreign medical assistance. This coordination
effort is necessary, according to Dr. Prado, to ensure
that external aid meets the real needs of the countries. The Pan American
Health Organization issued an emergency appeal for immediate aid to the
health sector in Central America after Hurricane Mitch,
based on requests from the countries. Across Central America and in
southern Mexico, 10,001 people were dead, 14,202 were missing and 2.78
million were homeless, according to official figures.
For further information contact: Daniel Epstein, tel (202) 974-3459, fax
(202) 974-3143,Office of Public Information, PAHO, http://www.paho.org.
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Workshop on Hurricaine Georges and Mitch
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By means of this note, PAHO/WHO extends an invitation to you to participate
in an interagency workshop to analyze the health sector response to the
major 1998 hurricanes Georges and Mitch. The workshop is scheduled for 13-
15 January in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.The national and
international response to these disasters was, as usual, generous. But
there are lessons to be learned and applied to future disasters. How
effective was the health sector preparedness?
Could some of the losses have been prevented? Did national and
international assessment and coordination mechanisms meet the challenge?
Did SUMA (the WHO/PAHO Humanitarian Supply Management System) contribute to
interagency collaboration?
Who might want to attend this workshop?Health disaster coordinators from
all affected countries and
territories.International organizations and bilateral agencies.National or
international NGOs.Any institution that was active or interested in the
response to hurricanes Georges and Mitch.
All information about this meeting, including the agenda and registration
forms, will be available on our Web site,
http://www.paho.org/english/ped/pedhome.htm, (look under the What's New
section- Important Meetings) by the end of this week. If your prefer, text
versions of this material can be sent to you by e-mail. There will be no
formal letter of invitation or pamphlet advertising this
meeting.Information will be available through the Internet only.
Participation in this meeting will be limited to persons or organizations
who have preregistered. To express your interest, contact
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