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Natural disasters and armed conflict have marked human existence throughout history and have always caused peaks in mortality and morbidity. This article examines the advances in the humanitarian response to public health over the past fifty years and the challenges currently faced in managing natural disasters and armed conflict. Types of Disaster Natural Disasters According to the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies Natural Disasters are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or slow onset events that have immediate impacts on human health and secondary impacts causing further death and suffering. These disasters can be: • Geophysical (e.g. Earthquakes, Landslides, Tsunamis and Volcanic Activity) • Hydrological (e.g. Avalanches and Floods) • Climatological (e.g. Extreme Temperatures, Drought and Wildfires) • Meteorological (e.g. Cyclones and Storms/Wave Surges) • Biological (e.g. Disease Epidemics and Insect/Animal Plagues) The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction characterise Natural Disasters in relation to their magnitude or intensity, speed of onset, duration, and area of extent e.g. Earthquakes have short durations and usually affect a relatively small region, whereas Droughts are slow to develop and fade away and often affect large regions.
Man-Made Disasters
Man-Made Disasters as viewed by the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies are events that are caused by humans which occur in or close to human settlements often caused as a results of Environmental or Technological Emergencies. This can include:
• Environmental Degradation
• Pollution
• Accidents (e.g. Industrial, Technological and Transport usually involving the production, use or transport of hazardous materials)
Aspects of Disaster Management
The International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies defines disaster management as the organisation and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all the humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
Disaster Prevention
"The outright avoidance of adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters"
UNISDR views Disaster Prevention as the concept of engaging in activities which intend to prevent or avoid potential adverse impacts through action taken in advance, activities designed to provide protection from the occurrence of disasters. WCPT similarly highlight that while not all disasters can be prevented, good risk management, evacuation plans, environmental planning and design standards can reduce risk of loss of life and injury mitigation. The HYOGO Framework was one such Global Plan for natural Disaster Risk Reduction, which was adopted in 2005 as a 10 year Global Plan, signed by agreement with 168 Governments which offered guiding principles, priorities for action, and practical means for achieving disaster resilience for vulnerable communities.
Disaster Preparedness
"The knowledge and capacities developed by governments, professional response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions".
| According to ICRC, Disaster Preparedness refers to measures taken to prepare for and reduce the effects of disasters, be they Natural or Man-made. This is achieved through research and planning in order to try to predict areas or regions that may be at risk of disaster and where possible prevent these from occurring and/or reduce the impact those disasters on the vulnerable populations that may be affected so they can effectively cope. Disaster preparedness activities embedded with risk reduction measures can prevent disaster situations and also result in saving maximum lives and livelihoods during any disaster situation, enabling the affected population to get back to normalcy within a short time period. |
Minimisation of loss of life and damage to property through facilitation of effective disaster response and rehabilitation services when required. Preparedness is the main way of reducing the impact of disasters. Community-based preparedness and management should be a high priority in physical therapy practice management. Disaster Response / Relief "The provision of emergency services and public assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people affected". Focused predominantly on immediate and short-term needs the division between this response/relief stage and the subsequent recovery stage is not clear-cut. Some response actions, such as the supply of temporary housing and water supplies, may extend well into the recovery stage. Rescue from immediate danger and stabilization of the physical and emotional condition of survivors is the primary aims of disaster response/relief, which go hand in hand with the recovery of the dead and the restoration of essential services such as water and power Coordinated multi-agency response is vital to this stage of Disaster Management in order to reduce the impact of a disaster and its long-term results with relief activities including
• Rescue
• Relocation • Provision Food and Water
• Provision Emergency Health Care
• Prevention of Disease and Disability
• Repairing Vital Services e.g. Telecommunications, Transport
• Provision Temporary Shelter
Disaster Recovery
Vulnerability of communities often continues for long after the initial crisis is over. Disaster Recovery refers to those programmes which go beyond the provision of immediate relief to assist those who have suffered the full impact of a disaster and include the following activities
• Rebuilding Infrastructure e.g. Homes, Schools, Hospitals, Roads
• Health Care and Rehabilitation
• Development Activities e.g. building human resources for health
• Development Policies and Practices to avoid or mitigate similar situations in future
Disaster Management Guidelines
Responding Internationally to Disasters: Do’s and Don’ts When disasters strike, there is always a huge amount of goodwill from rehabilitation professionals around the world who wish to use their skills to support those affected. This brief guidance informs those who are considering responding internationally to a disaster either as individuals or as part of a team. It highlights key questions to consider before departing, whilst working in the disaster area, and on returning home. Responses to these questions considered are presented as “Do’s and Don’ts”
which are exempli ed by recommended practices and those to avoid in the real case studies below. The guidance note is not intended to be a step-by-step or technical guide, nor is it exhaustive, and does not supersede any specific guidance provided by your own global professional body.