Disaster Management

Original Editor - Naomi O'Reilly

Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Tony Lowe, Kim Jackson, Admin, Rachael Lowe, Vidya Acharya, Tarina van der Stockt, WikiSysop, Selena Horner, Laura Ritchie and Jess Bell  

Introduction

Disaster, as defined by the United Nations, is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society, which involve widespread human, material, economic or environmental impacts that exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Disaster management is how we deal with the human, material, economic or environmental impacts of said disaster, it is the process of how we “prepare for, respond to and learn from the effects of major failures” . Though often caused by nature, disasters can have human origins.

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 . 

Environmental/Technological Emergencies

Environmental/Technological Emergencies as viewed by the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies are events that are man-made and caused by humans which occur in or close to human settlements. This can include:

• Environmental Degradation
• Pollution
• Accidents (e.g. Industrial, Technological and Transport usually involving the production, use or transport of hazorous materials) 

Complex Emergencies

Some disasters can result from multiple hazzards, or, more often, to a complex combination of both Natural and Man-made causes which involve a break-down of authority, looting and attacks on strategic installations, including conflict situations and war. These can include :

• Food Insecurity
• Epidemics
• Armed Conflicts
• Displaced Populations
  

According to International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies these Complex Emergencies are typically characterized by :

• Extensive Violence
• Displacements of Populations
• Loss of Life
• Widespread Damage to both Societies and Economies
• Need for Large-scale, Humanitarian Assistance across Multiple Agencies
• Political and Military Constraints which impact or prevent Humanatarian Assistance
• Increased Security Risks for Humanitarian Relief Workers

Pandemic Emergencies

Pandemic (from Greek πᾶν pan "all" and δῆμος demos "people") is an epidemic of infectious disease that has spread across a large region, which can occur to the human population or animal population and may affect health, disrupts services leading to economic and social costs. It may be an unusual or unexpected increase in the number of cases of an infectious disease which already exists in a certain region or population or can also refer to the appearance of a significant number of cases of an infectious disease in a region or population that is usually free from that disease. Pandemic Emergencies may occur as a consequenceof Natural or Man-Made Disasters  .

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

Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Relief

Disaster Recovery

How Physiotherapists Can Contribute

The WCPT provide advice on how physiotherapists can most effectively contribute in disaster situations highlighting the role for the profession in the aspects of disaster management described above.

• Disaster Management - How Individual Physical Therapists Can Contribute 

Disaster Management Guidelines

	'Health Care in Danger: The Responsibilities of Health-Care Personnel Working in Armed Conflicts and Other Emergencies' A Guidance Document in simple language for health personnel, setting out their rights and responsibilities in conflict and other situations of violence. It explains how responsibilities and rights for health personnel can be derived from international humanitarian law, human rights law and medical ethics. The document gives practical guidance on: The Protection of Health Personnel, the Sick and the Wounded Standards of Practice The Health Needs of Particularly Vulnerable People Health records and transmission of medical records "Imported" Health Care (including Military Health Care) Data Gathering and Health Personnel as witnesses to violations of International Law Working with the Media
	Rehabilitation in Sudden Onset Disasters. The role of rehabilitation professionals in responding to sudden onset disasters, such as earthquakes or tsunamis, is evolving rapidly, and they increasingly find themselves at the forefront of emergency response teams. This manual is designed for Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who provide rehabilitation in the immediate aftermath of a sudden onset disaster. It was developed to support volunteers on the UK International Emergency Trauma Register, but with the aim of being relevant to all rehabilitation professionals interested in rapid deployment to austere environments.
	Minimum Technical Standards and Recommendations for Rehabilitation: Emergency Medical Teams This document is the result of collaboration between a working group of rehabilitation experts convened by WHO and external consultations. It is thus based on collective experience in rehabilitation during responses to recent large-scale emergencies and also on published data. In time, the minimum standards for rehabilitation in emergencies will be part of a broader series of publications based on the Classification and minimum standards for foreign medical teams in sudden onset disaster. The purpose of this document is to extend these standards for physical rehabilitation and provide guidance to Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) on building or strengthening their capacity for and work in rehabilitation within defined coordination mechanisms.The standards and recommendations given in this document will ensure that EMTs, both national and international, will better prevent patient complications and ensuing impairment and ensure a continuum of care beyond their departure from the affected area.
	Communicable Disease Control in Emergencies - A Field Manual This manual is intended to help health professionals and public health coordinators working in emergency situations prevent, detect and control the major communicable diseases encountered by affected populations.

Resources

The WCPT provide a comprehensive set of resources relating to disaster management, the role of the phsyiotherapy profession, advice for volunteering and the existing organisations involved:

• WCPT Disaster Management Resources

Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

References