Natural and Human Made Disasters: Similarities, Differences and Lessons Learned

1
Natural and Human Made Disasters Similarities,
Differences and Lessons Learned

• Eliot Sorel, M.D., D.L.F.A.P.A.
• Founder, Chairman WPA Section on Conflict
  Management Resolution

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Disasters, Human Made

• Violent Conflicts
• Chemical Accidents
• Wars
• Rwanda Genocide

3
Disasters, Natural

• Earthquakes
• Tsunamis
• Hurricanes
• Drought
• Indian Ocean Tsunami

4
Indian Ocean Tsunami

• Struck on a lazy Sunday morning 12/26/04
• 170,000 dead, 120,000 missing
• South Asia, East Africa, Scandinavia

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Rapid Response, Assessment, Surveillance

• Rapid Mobilization of Clinicians
• Assessment of Health-care needs
• Identification of the dead, injured, missing
• Active surveillance of illnesses
• Thai MOPH, US CDC, AFRIMS

Source MMWR 2005 5461-64
6
Operational Structure

• Central command center
• 100 teams-emergency care,12 supportive
• 5 active surveillance
• 6 mental health support
• 3 MOPH accredited massage therapy

Source MMWR 2005 5461-64
7
Health Education Programs

• Personal hygiene
• Water and food safety
• Garbage disposal
• Toilet construction
• Injury prevention
• Mental health

Source MMWR 2005 5461-64
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Challenges

• Rapid assessment- WHO tool
• Rapid personnel mobilization
• Adequate staffing
• Coordination of relief efforts
• Temporary clinics

Source MMWR 2005 5461-64
9
Assets

• Well-developed public health infrastructure
• 90 of the health care
• Rapid and effective response
• Mass casualty plans promptly activated

Source MMWR 2005 5461-64
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Challenges Remaining

• Identifying thousands of bodies
• Assisting the bereaved
• Detect diseases
• Treat infections
• Water safety
• Meeting mental health needs-7423 so far

Source MMWR 2005 5461-64
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Challenges Remaining

• Developing future responses templates
• Early alert systems
• National, Zonal, global

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Challenges Remaining

• Lessons learned, best practices
• Psychosocial distress, psychiatric disorders
• Cultural, spiritual specificity
• Professionals, governments, NGOs, Corp