Editorial
From pandemic H5N1 to (H1N1) 2009:
Lessons for disaster managers

Early this year, the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus rapidly developed the capacity to infect humans and to transmit from person to person, leading WHO to use a more precise definition of pandemic Phase 6 than was originally adopted. The response remained predominantly a health matter, under the competent leadership of public health experts, and in particular epidemiologists, rather than disaster managers.
What broader lessons can and should disaster managers learn from three years of intensive awareness and planning for an avian pandemic at national and international levels? (More)

“Safe hospitals” on the global political agenda

The countries of the Region of the Americas have taken important steps in capacity building, implementing new instruments, and establishing political commitments to advance the strategy of hospitals safe from disasters. Despite many advances, the goal of safe hospitals is an ongoing process that requires dedication from all sectors. (More)

LSS/SUMA used to deploy supplies for pandemic

Providing health care for people afflicted with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus poses special challenges for logistics and administration of drugs and vaccines. In the coming months, the health sector must be prepared for major additional efforts as a new vaccine becomes available for distribution. (More)

Influenza prevention for vulnerable populations

PAHO/WHO, in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has launched a project to prevent transmission of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus in prisons, orphanages, and homes for the elderly in the Region of the Americas. The project includes activities to prevent and treat influenza in institutions in Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, and Panama. (More)

Disaster Response Team includes communication specialists

PAHO/WHO has completed the first stage of training and development of tools for information management and communication for disaster response. During this two-year process, a group of communication. (More)

Psychosocial care for displaced populations in Colombia

PAHO/WHO, in cooperation with Colombia’s Technological University of Pereira, has launched the Manual for mayors: a psychosocial approach to treating displaced, confined, or at-risk populations. The manual aims to provide local authorities with guidelines for interventions and treatment of these populations. (More)

Interview
Challenges in developing comprehensive and multisectoral risk management for Central America

The Coordinating Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America is a regional, intergovernmental organization and a specialized secretariat of the Central American Integration System.
Mr. Iván Morales was recently named Executive Director of the Center. He takes leadership at a time when there is much to do and building a policy for disaster risk management in Central America is an imperative. In this interview, Mr. Morales talks about challenges in developing comprehensive and multisectoral risk management for Central America. (More)

CDEMA’s new name matches a new approach

As of September 2009, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) has changed its name to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The change represents an organizational transition and a new approach based on comprehensive disaster management. (More)

Addressing urban risk is new theme for disaster reduction campaign

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) has announced “Building resilient cities, addressing urban risk” as the theme for the 2010–2011 World Campaign for Disaster Risk Reduction. The campaign builds on “cities at risk” and “urban risk” issues developed by the ISDR and its partners around the world. (More)

Mitch + 10 renews Central America’s
commitment to risk management

In July, participants gathered in Guatemala for the Mitch +10 Regional Forum to strengthen Central American policy guidelines on risk management. The Mitch + 10 Declaration states that risk management must be integrated into planning processes and public investment. (More)

CRID and UNICEF cooperate
on education and risk management

The Foundation for the Coordination of Information Resources for Disaster Prevention (FundaCRID) signed an agreement with UNICEF to launch a website specializing in resources on education and risk management. This website will make it easier for authorities, teachers, technicians, and cooperating institutions to access materials about risk reduction for the education sector. (More)

Flip chart on safe hospitals:
an educational tool for community use

As part of the 2008–2009 Global Campaign for Disaster Reduction, which is dedicated to the theme of safe hospitals, many manuals and promotional and training materials have been prepared. However, their contents are almost always technical and they are written for specialists and practitioners. A simpler, more practical tool was needed that would help a wider and less specialized audience get the message. This flip chart gives us that opportunity. It has an entertaining format and design, and it teaches by using simple and direct language. (More)

The Region’s response to the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and continuing challenges

Throughout history there have been many outbreaks of disease that have resulted in high numbers of deaths. These epidemics have had and will continue to have very different impacts on particular health systems and societies. There are crisis management difficulties that are common to emergencies and disasters, whatever their origin. (More)

PAHO/WHO’s response to the pandemic

PAHO/WHO’s response to the outbreak focused on providing technical assistance for crisis management and coordination and surveillance and investigation of cases. It gave advice on health systems and services, information management, risk communication, and logistics, and assisted in resource mobilization by coordinating with important external partners. (More)

The Caribbean assess the management of the health emergency

The countries of the Caribbean met in Barbados to assess the implementation of plans, the response, and lessons learned since the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus was detected. The three-day meeting was sponsored by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) with support from the United States and Canada. (More)

Risk and poverty in a changing climate

The risk of both mortality and economic loss in disasters is concentrated in a very small portion of the Earth’s surface. Countries with large populations exposed to severe natural hazards account for a very large proportion of the global disaster risk. For example, 75% of global flood mortality risk is concentrated in only three countries: Bangladesh, China, and India. Small island developing states and other small countries have far higher levels of relative risk with respect to the size of their populations and economies. (More)

Future of the Red Cross in Latin American and the Caribbean

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has released the document The future of the Red Cross in Latin America and the Caribbean: the challenges of risk management and social cohesion. (More)

New manual on climate change and health

This is a collection of articles (available in English and Spanish) that analyze climate change in the region and its consequences for human behavior, especially relating to health. (More)

New manual on communication and information management in disaster situations

PAHO/WHO has published a new manual to help information management and communication specialists who are involved in disaster preparedness and response activities in the health sector. The manual gives recommendations on how to manage information and to communicate with the public in emergency situations. (More).

Field Manual for the PAHO/WHO Regional Disaster Response Team

In response to requests from the Ministers of Health from Latin America and the Caribbean, PAHO/WHO established a Regional Disaster Response Team to assist countries that are dealing with emergencies or disasters. The Team is responsible for carrying out a rapid assessment of needs, assisting in coordinating emergency response, and advising PAHO/WHO and its partners. (More)

What's new at CRID

Visit the CRID’s redesigned website to find out more about Safe Hospitals and to review a list of updated disaster terms. (More)