WHO-PAHO Guidelines
for the Use of Foreign Field Hospitals

Disasters, whether natural or complex, can outstrip the capacity of the local health system to provide the required care, either because of a massive number of casualties or as a result of damage to healthcare infrastructure. As a consequence, both affected and collaborating countries try to find ways to facilitate medical care to the affected population. One potential solution could be a mobile field hospital, yet there have been mixed reports regarding the cost-effectiveness of such efforts, particularly in developing countries.

These perceived shortcomings prompted the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization to convene a meeting of experts to review guidelines regarding when it is appropriate to dispatch or donate a foreign field hospital. Presented in a clear, easy-to-consult format, the 20-page guidelines outline essential requirements and additional, or optional criteria for field hospitals used for emergency medical care during the first 48 hours; for follow-up trauma and medical care up to two weeks after the disaster; and for donated facilities that can remain on site for several years. The guidelines also pose questions to ask and issues to clarify before a field hospital is dispatched or accepted. The highlights of these guidelines also have been incorporated into a brochure for widespread distribution.

A limited number of print copies of the guidelines is available from the Editor at disaster-publications@paho.org. Request the brochure at the same address or download the full-text of both at www.paho.org/disasters (click on Publications Catalog).

IDB Publication
on Vulnerability
and Risk Reduction

The Inter-American Development Bank’s publication “Planning and Financial Protection to Survive Disasters” distinguishes between risk management—which calls for prior planning and investments to reduce vulnerability—and emergency response, which involves after-the-fact expenditures. This technical paper deals with two important areas: identifying and reducing risk by integrating prevention and mitigation into development plans and financial protection of costly investments. Download the publication from the web site www.iadb.org/sds/ (click on Publications and search by the authors: Kari Keipi and Justin Tyson).