Videos

	Health Planning for a Volcanic Crisis This video presents images of volcanic eruptions, expert opinions, scientific information and lessons learned from many recent emergencies combined in 36 minutes. This video also explains the principal health risks posed by volcanic eruptions. In addition, it includes basic steps of what health sectors should do in order to reduce potential damages. volcano.htm

	Myths and Realities of Natural Disasters Myths have surrounded the occurrence of natural disaster phenomena since the beginnings of civilization. This video presents some popular beliefs in the context of some of the most devastating disasters to occur in the Region of the Americas. It emphasizes the importance of dispelling certain myths through education and understanding of actual events. How to Order

	Earthquake in Mexico This program documents health problems and response activities following the earthquake that devastated Mexico City on 18 September 1985. Thousands of people were killed, some 420 buildings collapsed and more than 50,000 homes were damaged. The video also focuses on the chaos resulting from the arrival of tons of unsolicited relief supplies that in most cases did not meet the actual needs of earthquake victims. How to Order

	Volcanic Eruption of Nevado del Ruíz in Colombia On the night of 13 November 1985, the Nevado del Ruíz volcano, some 70 kms from Bogotá, began to erupt. Hot lava mixed with melting snow to create a massive mudslide that descended the sides of the volcano at a speed of 25 mph, burying the town of Armero. An estimated 20,000 persons died and 10,000 persons were made homeless. Rescue and evacuation of survivors had to be done by air; water and sewerage systems were completely destroyed; the supply of food, medicines, and drinking water required massive mobilization of the international community. This video provides a record of the events and medical and health impacts of the disaster. How to Order

	International Humanitarian Assistance This video examines positive and negative aspects of international humanitarian assistance provided to health care systems in countries affected by disasters. How to Order

	Earthquake in El Salvador This short program provides a record of the impact of the earthquake-measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale--that hit San Salvador on 10 October 1986. More than 40 per cent of the health facilities suffered damage, hampering treatment of the disaster victims. At least 12,000 people died and half of the inhabitants of El Salvador's capital were left homeless. Government buildings were severely damaged which greatly affected both response and reconstruction activities in the country. How to Order

	Humanitarian Fuel Assistance Program During Haiti's political crisis in the 1990s, acquiring fuel was a major challenge faced by humanitarian organizations operating in the country. This video describes how PAHO and other agencies worked to transport and deliver fuel to these organizations. How to Order

	Facing Disasters in Smaller Countries This addresses the problems faced by the smallest countries when they are impacted by major natural disasters. The video uses Caribbean countries as an example of the importance of regional cooperation and solidarity when facing these challenges. How to Order

	SUMA: Tool for Transparency and Credibility in Emergencies and Disasters This short video shows difficulties created by the indiscriminate shipment of donations to disaster-affected countries, and the importance of having an information management tool such as SUMA. Besides its technical role, SUMA is a policy tool that can favor transparent and responsible management of donations, and as such provide an image of credibility and responsibility for authorities. How to Order

	En la senda del huracán (only in Spanish) This video documents the impact of Hurricane Gilbert in October 1988 and Joan, a month later in Central America and the Caribbean. Gilbert's path cut across the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and finally Mexico. More than 90 per cent of health facilities in Jamaica were damaged. Hurricane Joan hit Colombia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua a month later, causing major crises in these three countries. How to Order

	Disaster Mitigation in Health Facilities This video demonstrates the enormous vulnerability to natural disasters-primarily earthquakes and hurricanes-faced by most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It documents advances made in carrying out mitigation measures in certain countries, and addresses how much has to be done to ensure that health facilities reduce their levels of vulnerability so that they continue to provide critical services after the impact of a hurricane or earthquake. How to Order

	SUMA: Humanitarian Supply Management Project This program introduces the Humanitarian Supply Management Project (SUMA), which was created by PAHO/WHO with the cooperation of experts from a variety of countries in the Region of the Americas, and the support of the Netherlands Government. SUMA assists national authorities to identify, classify and distribute humanitarian supplies in emergency situations, ensuring a more organized process that gets needed supplies to beneficiaries quickly. The video emphasizes the importance of developing a national cadre of professionals trained in humanitarian supply management methods before disaster strikes, and addresses the mobilization of international experts. How to Order

	The Role of Laboratories and Blood Banks in Disasters Situations CD-ROM This CD presentation complents the 2001 PAHO technical publication of the same name, which revews the primary functions of laboratories and blood banks in disaster situations and the measures they can take to be better prepared. It includes a PowerPoint presentation and a script. laboratorios-cd.htm

	Virtual Disaster Library -Disasters and Humanitarian Assistance This edition of this electronic collection (available on line and on CD-ROM) incorporates the most important works published by the Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization, UNHCR, UNICEF, Project SPHERE, the Red International Cross Movement, and several non-governmental organizations. This edition has a new more powerful and improved search engine and all the documents are available in HTML and many in PDF format. With more than 400 scientific and technical documents, this collection is the most important information tool on these topics. about-vdl.htm

	Prevención, preparación y respuesta a desastres provocados por productos químicos (only in Spanish) This CD-ROM has an instructional approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to chemical accidents in Latin America and the Caribbean, using a combination of graphic presentations and text. It uses a Web-page format to present technical information and includes reference sections that will link the user to other valuable information sources on the Internet. This material can also be consulted on the Internet at: only in Spanish

	Disaster Mitigation in Health Facilities, 2001 Edition This disk contains the main training materials -- books and PowerPoint graphic presentations -- that PAHO/WHO has published on disaster mitigation in health facilities. It is designed as a simple Web page and can be used with any personal computer (although we recommend at a minimum a Pentium 1 processor or the equivalent, with hard drive capacity of 40 Mb). How to Order

	SUMA. 2001 Edition This CD-ROM gathers all the components necessary to understand, apply, and teach SUMA, including: The latest SUMA software, a section devoted to training materials, and an overview of SUMA How to Order

	The Pan American Health Organization Promoting Health in the Americas