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Disasters and Humanitarian Assistance Page of the
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Area of the Pan American Health Organization.
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Announcements
White Helmets of Argentina and PAHO agree to strengthen regional disaster response capacity
PAHO Press Release (3/11/2008).- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) today signed an agreement of understanding with the White Helmets Commission of Argentina to unite forces and cooperate in responding to disasters and other emergencies.
"In the current context, emergencies, whether natural or man-made, are likely to be increasingly frequent", said PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses.
Read more »(11/Mar/2008)
In English .
en español .
La paz, la defensa de la vida y la salud son prioritarias para el desarrollo de los pueblos de las Américas
Quito, Ecuador. Marzo 5 2008.- Intervención de la Dra. Mirta Roses Periago, Directora de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud OPS/OMS quien preside en Quito la reunión de los Representantes y Directores de Centros de la OPS/OMS de la Región Andina y Cono Sur, donde analiza la situación que vive el Ecuador frente a los recientes desastres naturales y la crisis actual de las poblaciones de la frontera norte.(5/Mar/2008)
en español 
(7.1k)
Books
Reducción del Daño Sísmico. Guía para las Empresas de Agua
Esta publicación es un contribución más de la OPS para el fortalecimiento de la capacidad de los técnicos, profesionales y tomadores de decisión del sector de agua y saneamiento de los países de América Latina y el Caribe, para identificar los factores de riesgo frente a amenazas sísmicas e implementar las medidas que eviten o reduzcan los posibles daños.(13/Sep/2006)
en español (3.94k)
Environmental Health Management after Natural Disasters
(12/Sep/2006)
In English (6.17k)
en español (4.25k)
Los desastres naturales y la proteccion de la salud
Los desastres naturales y la proteccion de la salud(12/Sep/2006)
en español (6.99k)
Databases
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.
(31/Dec/2002)
In English (4.31k)
en español (4.66k)
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.(16/Jan/2003)
In English (2.27k)
en español (2.62k)
Other Resources
Pandemic Influenza Resource Sites
This page provides links to resources dealing with the topic of pandemic influenza, organized into coherent categories (surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, prevention and control, toolkits, press releases, major partner sites).(8/Sep/2005)
In English (16.28k)
Caribbean Course on Emergency Care and Treatment - ECAT
This course addresses basic medical response for disaster and emergency situations. It includes a participant’s manual, tips for the instructors, a PowerPoint presentation and review tests. Participants will benefit most from this new course if they are familiar with other PAHO courses on mass casualty management and incident command systems.(20/Dec/2004)
In English (2.92k)
Curso de auto instrucción sobre prevención, preparación y respuesta a accidentes químicos
Una nueva versión bilingüe (español/portugués) de este material de capacitación cuya novedad es la metodología de autoaprendizaje. El curso tiene cinco secciones con presentaciones y módulos de preguntas y respuestas para permitir al alumno la autoevaluación de su aprendizaje.(7/Nov/2003)
en español (3.72k)
Periodical Publications
Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation in the Americas-April 2009, No. 111 - New!
This issue's editorial focuses on the risks a financial crisis can pose to disaster management, as funds previously used for disaster preparedness and relief are diverted to more pressing needs. The celebration of World Health Day is covered, and an interview with the head of the International Strategy for Disaster reduction is included. Among the new training materials available from PAHO is an interactive tool for hospital safety. HTML(8/May/2009)
In English 
(4621.75k)
en español (4608.91k)
Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation in the Americas-October 2008, No. 110
This edition's editorial focuses on climate change and disaster programs in the health sector, as changes in climate have had a direct impact on recent disasters. This edition is the first with a new 12-page format, which includes an interview section--PAHO's Director is the first subject--a section on safe hospitals and one on perspectives. HTML(21/Oct/2008)
In English (3464.57k)
en español (3392.01k)
Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation in the Americas-June 2007, No. 107
When a disaster strikes, why is it so difficult to find reliable information? This is the topic of this issue's editorial. In addition, Safe Hospitals has become a common subject in the disaster community. There are several articles that touch on this very important issue. HTML(17/Jul/2007)
In English (1393.67k)
en español (1406.49k)
Technical Documents
Caribbean Basin Wind Hazard Maps
PAHO/WHO, together with Applied Research Associates, a North American institute, and participants from different Caribbean countries, have created maps that show wind hazards on Caribbean islands and along the Caribbean coasts of Central and South America. The project simulates 100,000 years of Atlantic storms using hurricane hazard models, historic records, and existing wind maps.(13/May/2008)
In English (14.58k)
¿Su hospital es seguro? Preguntas y respuestas para el personal de salud
Esta publicación ayuda al personal de instalaciones de mediana o baja complejidad a identificar posibles vulnerabilidades de su edificación. A partir de ellas se recomienda una estrategia de intervención, donde se priorizan las acciones a desarrollar de acuerdo a su importancia, tiempo y recursos disponibles.(17/Jan/2008)
en español (3.59k)
Preparativos en salud, agua y saneamiento para la respuesta local ante desastres
Esta publicación destaca la importancia de la participación activa de los sectores de salud, agua y saneamiento en la organización local de los preparativos y la respuesta, y ofrece pautas para facilitar el desarrollo de medidas oportunas y eficaces que protejan la integridad de la población y la de su entorno, en situaciones de emergencias y desastres.(21/Sep/2007)
en español (3.69k)
