Training Program
for Volcanic Emergencies

Colombia and Ecuador will be the focus of a project to strengthen the health sector’s capacity to respond to volcanic eruptions. Through the project, funded by the DIPECHO initiative of the European Union, technical guidelines and multimedia training material will be produced for health professionals to aid in damage assessment, epidemiological surveillance, environmental health, mental health and communications. A cadre of health professionals will also be trained in these health preparedness issues to replicate the training in at-risk areas.

One innovative aspect of this project will be the development of a special module for decision making related to volcanic emergency scenarios, through a series of tests and practical exercises. The module will be supported with an extensive collection of readings based on the direct experience accumulated in the Americas in the past 25 years. Contact Ricardo Perez at rperez@ecu.ops-oms.org. More information in an upcoming issue of this newsletter.

Andean Region Prepares
Disaster Health Plan

Representatives from the disaster programs and the international relations departments of the Ministries of Health of the Andean Region met in April for the first in a series of meetings to lay the groundwork for an Andean Region Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for the Health Sector. International agencies and other regional bodies also attended. Although many activities are already underway between and among these countries, the Plan’s objectives bring a formality to the process: strengthening knowledge, information and planning; mutual assistance; and horizontal and international cooperation. A schedule was developed to follow up on national disaster plans while the roles of each agency involved in the process is clearly spelled out. In the short term, each country will analyze its current situation with regard to disasters and health. This analysis will be presented at the next meeting in June. For more information contact Dr. Alejandro Santander at asantand@ecu.ops-oms.org.