Disasters and their Effects on the Population: Key Concepts
10. Case Resolution
Case Discussion
A disaster can be defined as a usually sudden event causing damages, affecting many people, and because of its magnitude, exceeding the capacity for response of local or national organizations. High morbidity and mortality rates are frequently found in the affected population, which is often exposed to critical sanitary situations, both immediately after the disaster and during subsequent phases. There is an additional risk for diseases associated with crowding and lack of adequate public services.
Disasters can be due to natural causes, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, to alterations or to technological causes; i.e., related to events triggered by man’s intervention (e.g., the release of toxic or radioactive agents). In addition, civil or international wars cause complex emergencies that affect civilians and result in their displacement.
In this case, flooding has brought about a natural disaster.
Vulnerable Populations
Children, as well as old people and pregnant women are the most vulnerable populations when a disaster occurs. For children, the risk of being separated from their families determines their vulnerability. In addition, their physical, physiological and mental features render them more susceptible to environmental, sanitary and social changes resulting from disasters.
All affected children should be identified and their identity should be properly documented. They should also receive preferential attention during the distribution of sanitary and feeding resources, as well as effective preventive interventions.
Initial Assessment and Response
The initial and highly critical step is the immediate assessment of the situation and the affected population. This will define the actual needs and the interventions that are most appropriate in the current circumstances. It is important to establish clearly defined priorities and the effective coordination of rescue activities, in both the early and the subsequent phases.
In this case, field hospitals are unlikely to be needed, since traumatized victims requiring immediate interventions will be less numerous than in other circumstances, when disasters have a more sudden and unexpected start.
The capacity for response of local and regional services will determine whether or not external assistance is needed. Immediate external help is unlikely to be necessary in this case, but there will probably be a need for resources to provide the affected population with shelter and clothing.