AFTER A DISASTER, DO . . .
- Consult with the countries' health disaster coordinators for
information about post-disaster health needs. Each country in Latin America and the
Caribbean has a designated health disaster coordinator.
After a disaster, this coordinator will conduct an assessment, in cooperation with
PAHO/WHO and interested NGOs, to determine health needs. Don't start collecting relief
items until you have this information.
- Whenever possible, donate cash or credit directly to the national
health authorities, to international agencies, or channel it through well-established
private agencies. Most of the relief items needed can be purchased locally or in
neighboring countries. Cash also can be used to restore the pre-disaster level of health
care conditions and to replace national resources that have been diverted from essential
programs and used for the emergency.
- Assist countries during the preparedness, rehabilitation and
reconstruction phases. Unfortunately, disasters are rarely newsworthy once the
immediate emergency phase is over. Yet, after a disaster, an affected country will deplete
much of its financial and material resources. Later, the affected country will need even
more international aid for repairs and reconstruction.
- Coordinate the efforts of independent assessment teams or
fact-finding missions with those of the affected country and other agencies.
DISCOURAGE SENDING . . .
- Used clothing, shoes, etc: in most cases, the local community
donates more than enough of these items to meet the demand. It is more economical,
convenient and sanitary to purchase items locally than to ship used items. Refer offers of
this type of assistance to local charities or voluntary agencies.
- Household foods: the same applies for food items. A disaster
is not likely to cause a national food shortage in Latin America and the Caribbean,
although the international media may highlight local distribution problems.
- Household medicines or prescriptions: these items are
medically and legally inappropriate. Pharmaceutical products take up needed space and
divert the attention of medical personnel from other more pressing tasks to sort,
classify, and label them.
- Blood and blood derivatives: there is much less need for blood
than the public commonly believes. More recently, local blood donors in the affected
country will cover the victims' needs. This type of donation is unsuitable because it
requires quality and safety controls, such as refrigeration or screening for detection of
HIV.
- Medical or paramedical personnel or teams: Local health
services are able to handle emergency medical care to disaster victims. In fact, most
countries have a relatively high physician-to-population ratio.
- If international aid is needed, neighboring countries are in the
best position to assist during the first 24 hours. Exceptions to this are highly
skilled specialists who have been specifically requested by the Ministry of Health.
Foreign medical or paramedical personnel who are unfamiliar with local language and
conditions should be encouraged to remain at home.
- Field hospitals, modular medical units: considering that this
type of equipment is justified only when it meets medium-term needs, it should not be
accepted unless it is donated. Equipment specifications, such as weight, volume, freight
and installation costs should be provided to the Ministry of Health so that they can
decide on its usefulness.
CONSULT FURTHER ABOUT DONATIONS OF . . .
- Used medical equipment: specifications should be provided. If
the value of the equipment justifies it, an on-site inspection may be arranged by a
technician in the donor country or an international agency such as PAHO/WHO or the Red
Cross.
- New equipment: when considering these donations, take into
account the cost of transportation by air freight, and the continued availability of spare
parts. Most manufacturers are willing to wait several days to allow countries to consult
with the proper technical Ministry.
- Tents: many countries stock a large quantity of tents that are
manufactured locally. The funds that donors are willing to spend to purchase and airlift
tents could be put to better use purchasing reconstruction materials locally.
- Vaccines: most often they are neither needed nor approved by
the Ministry of Health. Check the presentation, dosis, expiration date, and inform the
Ministry of Health, or check with PAHO/WHO.
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