Myth: Dead bodies, left unburied, are a dangerous source of disease epidemics after disasters.
Reality: Disaster victims' bodies pose little or no threat to public health.
Myth: Burying victims quickly in mass graves gives survivors a sense of relief.
Reality: Survivors have a strong need to identify lost loved ones and grieve for them in customary ways.
Myth: Identifying large numbers of casualties is all but impossible. Mass graves are sometimes the only solution.
Reality: Even large numbers of bodies should be dealt with systematically, to facilitate their identification. Mass graves should always be avoided.
Myth: Any kind of international assistance is needed, and right away.
Reality: A hasty response that is not based on a needs evaluation can contribute to the chaos. It is better to wait until genuine needs have been assessed.
Myth: Foreign medical volunteers with any kind of medical background are needed following a disaster.
Reality: The local population almost always covers immediate life-saving needs. Only medical personnel with skills that are not available in the affected country are usually needed.
Myth: Natural disasters cause deaths at random.
Reality: Disasters cause more damage to vulnerable geographic areas, which are more likely to be inhabited by poor people. Especially in developing countries, disasters take a greater toll on the poor.
Myth: Locating disaster victims in temporary settlements is the best alternative.
Reality: It should be the last alternative. Funds may be better spent on building materials, tools, and other construction-related support in the affected country.
Myth: Things are back to normal within a few weeks.
Reality: The effects of a disaster last a long time. Countries deplete much of their financial and material resources in the immediate post-impact phase. Successful relief operations take account of the fact that donor interest tends to wane as needs and shortages grow more pressing.