International Conference on Disaster Mitigation in Heath Facilities

In 1990, PAHO/WHO began a program to stregthen national efforts to increase the disaster resistance of new and existing health facilities. In February 1996, at the invitation of the Govermment of Mexico, and with the support of numerous agencies, PAHO convened the International Conference on Disaster Mitigation in Heath Facilities in Mexico City.

The objetives of the Conference were:

- To define concrete measures to reduce the impact of earthquakes and hurricanes on the physical plant, lifeline services, and equipment in heath facilities in order to ensure that they continue to operate without interruption after a disaster;

- To establish regional goals that include identifying which existing hospitals have the greatest priority for vulnerability studies and necessary retrofitting, as well as applying mitigation standards in new constructions from now until the year 2001;

- To contribute to the work of Govermments of the Region in giving high priority to adopting disaster mitigation measures in health facilities, and assign, within national budgets, funds for these measures.

While there has been progress, much more needs to be done to convince decision-makers that reducing the health sector's vulnerability to natural disasters is an essential part of national planning. The Conference Recommendations presented in these Proceedings reflect the commitment of Govermments, institutions, and individuals to work toward the goal of reducing the loss of life, material damage, and the social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters.