EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER MITIGATION

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EMERGENCYPREPAREDNESS ANDDISASTER MITIGATION
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Vulnerability to disasters is not compatible with
physical, mental or social wellbeing.
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Scope of the Program
NATURAL DISASTERS
COMPLEX DISASTERS
TECHNOLOGICAL DISASTERS
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Preparedness

• Pre-disaster activities aimed at strengthening
  the capacity for Response (rescue, medical care)

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Prevention

• Measures designed to provide complete protection
  from natural disasters by controlling effects of
  natural phenomena.
• Prevention in an imperfect world!Reduction of
  the impact!

Mitigation
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In the last 15 years, the focus given to risk and
disaster management has changed dramatically.
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Latin America and the Caribbean move from Ad Hoc
Disaster Response to Prevention
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1. Strengthening Institutions2. Training3.
Special priorities

• hospital and water systems mitigation
• Disaster Information Center

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The prime objective within the Health Sector
Strengthening Institutions

• Strengthening of the national Health Emergency
  Preparedness program in the ministry of health
  (with professional staff, a budget and access to
  decision-making)

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The Role of a Disaster Program in the Ministry
of Health
Strengthening Institutions

• Contingency planning and training
• coordination of the sector response
• Advocacy of health in other sectors
• inclusion of disaster reduction measures in
  development activities
• public education

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The National Health DisasterProgram must
Strengthening Institutions

• Lead the entire health sector
• Mobilize the sector for disaster prevention,
  mitigation, preparedness, response and early
  rehabilitation
• Have a multi-hazard scope (natural,
  technological, complex disasters)
• Coordinate with other sectors

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We need also to offer technical support to. . .
Strengthening Institutions

• Foreign Affairs
• mass media
• armed forces
• industry/private sector
• NGOs and volunteers
• parliaments
• civil society...

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Cooperation with Foreign Affairs
Strengthening Institutions
Before a disaster

• national policy on external assistance (received
  or offered by the country)
• mutual assistance agreements with other countries
• guidelines for diplomatic/consular personnel
• channel offers/requests for external assistance
• call donors meetings
• security of foreigners in the country or of
  nationals abroad

After a disaster
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Cooperation with Legislative Bodies
Strengthening Institutions
To promote legislation for disaster
Reduction prevention, preparedness and
response.
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1. Strengthening institutions2. Training3.
Special priorities

• hospital and water systems mitigation
• Disaster Information Center

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Human Resources Development , not stockpiling
equipment, is the key to Preparedness . . .
Workshops/ short courses
University training
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Workshops/Short Courses
Training

• emergency health management
• hospital preparedness and mitigation
• environmental health management
• supplies management (SUMA)
• role of Ministries of Foreign Affairs in
  disasters
• mass media and public information
• community preparedness.

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University Training
Training

• introduction of Disaster Management in the pre-
  and post-graduate curriculum in faculties of
  Medicine, Nursing schools and Public Health
  Schools

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1. Strengthening institutions2. Training3.
Special priorities

• hospital and water systems mitigation
• Information dissemination

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Disaster Mitigation in Hospitals and Water Supply
Systems

• vulnerability analysis
• improved design of new facilities
• retrofitting existing facilities
• norms, guidelines, and training

HOSPITAL
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Vulnerability Analysis
Disaster Mitigation in Hospitals

• structural
• nonstructural
• functional

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A technical managerial toolA political
instrument for transparencyA watch dog for
inappropriate donations
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Regional Disaster Information Center

• 12,000 documents on disaster-related topics
• multiagency, multidisciplinary
• THE source of material in Spanish
• Internet Access
• provides copies of documents

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Assistance in Case of a Disaster?
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A failure of the Ministry of health is our
failure.

• The difference with Other UN organizations?