disaster after-effects on volunteers and survivors dr ...effects of disasters on health • •...

2011

Pan AmericanHealthOrganization

Disaster After-Effects on Volunteers and Survivors Disaster After-Effects on Volunteers and Survivors

Dr. Ciro UgarteDr. Ciro UgarteRegional Advisor

Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief

Regional AdvisorEmergency Preparedness and

Disaster Relief

2011


2011


3

Effects of disasters on healthEffects of disasters on health

•• There is a relationship between the type of disaster There is a relationship between the type of disaster and its effect on healthand its effect on health

•• Some effects are a potential, rather than an Some effects are a potential, rather than an inevitable, threat to health. inevitable, threat to health.

•• The actual and potential health risks after a disaster The actual and potential health risks after a disaster change with time and placechange with time and place

•• DisasterDisaster--created needs for food, shelter, and created needs for food, shelter, and primary health care are not total.primary health care are not total.

•• Civil wars, terrorism and social conflicts generate a Civil wars, terrorism and social conflicts generate a distinct set of public health problems. distinct set of public health problems.

General ConsiderationsGeneral Considerations

2011


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Common problemsCommon problems

•• Social reactionsSocial reactions•• Communicable diseasesCommunicable diseases•• Population displacementPopulation displacement•• Food and nutrition Food and nutrition •• Water supply and sanitationWater supply and sanitation•• Mental healthMental health•• Damage to the health infrastructureDamage to the health infrastructure

Effects of disasters on healthEffects of disasters on health

2011


Social reactionsSocial reactions

• Panic and action• Solidarity and conflict• Rumors• Family roles

• Panic and action• Solidarity and conflict• Rumors• Family roles

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2011


Communicable diseasesCommunicable diseases

• Increased risk of communicable diseases• Population density, displacement and

epidemiologic profile • Increase risk of vector-borne diseases• Dead bodies and risk of diseases• Victims of a disaster even carriers of

communicable diseases, are in fact, a far lesser threat to the public than they were while alive.

• Increased risk of communicable diseases• Population density, displacement and

epidemiologic profile• Increase risk of vector-borne diseases• Dead bodies and risk of diseases• Victims of a disaster even carriers of

communicable diseases, are in fact, a far lesser threat to the public than they were while alive.

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2011


Population displacementPopulation displacement

• Often occurs after large scale disasters or internal conflict.

• Creates an urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

• Most people try to stay close to home; seek temporary shelter.

• Displacement to urban areas may result in inability of public services to cover the new demand.

• Often occurs after large scale disasters or internal conflict.

• Creates an urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

• Most people try to stay close to home; seek temporary shelter.

• Displacement to urban areas may result in inability of public services to cover the new demand.

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2011


Food and nutritionFood and nutrition

• Food shortages may occur in two ways: – Destruction or adulteration of existing

food supplies – Disruption of food distribution

systems • Generalized food shortage severe

enough to cause malnutrition is rare

• Food shortages may occur in two ways:– Destruction or adulteration of existing

food supplies– Disruption of food distribution

systems• Generalized food shortage severe

enough to cause malnutrition is rare

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2011


Water supply and sanitationWater supply and sanitation

• Destruction/interruption of services/infrastructure

• Contamination of water sources

• Quality and quantity of water supply

• Excreta disposal

• Water quality monitoring and treatment

• Destruction/interruption of services/infrastructure

• Contamination of water sources

• Quality and quantity of water supply

• Excreta disposal

• Water quality monitoring and treatment

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2011


Mental healthMental health

• Anxiety, neuroses and depression at pathological level are not a major factor between survivors.

• Most people find strength to recover from disasters and usually take care of immediate needs

• Most cases can be solved with minimum trained staff, the issue is to identify and refer the serious cases

• Foreign medical teams are usually not the best equipped or prepared to deal with local cultural sensitive situations.

• Anxiety, neuroses and depression at pathological level are not a major factor between survivors.

• Most people find strength to recover from disasters and usually take care of immediate needs

• Most cases can be solved with minimum trained staff, the issue is to identify and refer the serious cases

• Foreign medical teams are usually not the best equipped or prepared to deal with local cultural sensitive situations.

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2011


Access to health servicesAccess to health services

• Interruption/ disruption of public health programs.• Structural damage• Non structural and vital lines damage• Functional disruption• Supplies loss• Impact on health workers

• Interruption/ disruption of public health programs.• Structural damage• Non structural and vital lines damage• Functional disruption• Supplies loss• Impact on health workers

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2011


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Fish rainFish rain

ZelayaZelaya, Honduras, Honduras

2011


Disaster After-Effects on Volunteers and Survivors Disaster After-Effects on Volunteers and Survivors

Dr. Ciro UgarteDr. Ciro UgarteRegional Advisor

Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief

Regional AdvisorEmergency Preparedness and

Disaster Relief

disaster after-effects on volunteers and survivors dr ...effects of disasters on health • •...

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