Monday, February 01, 2010
Disaster Myths
[source: WHO, Myths and realities in disaster situations, http://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/ems/myths/en/]
Myth: Disasters are random killers.
Reality: Disasters strike hardest at the most vulnerable group, the poor—especially women, children and the elderly.
Myth: Epidemics and plagues are inevitable after every disaster.
Reality: Epidemics do not spontaneously occur after a disaster and dead bodies will not lead to catastrophic outbreaks of exotic diseases. The key to preventing disease is to improve sanitary conditions and educate the public.
Myth: The fastest way to dispose of bodies and avoid the spread of disease is through mass burials or cremations. This can help create a sense of relief among survivors.
Reality: Survivors will feel more at peace and manage their sense of loss better if they are allowed to follow their beliefs and religious practices and if they are able to identify and recover the remains of their loved ones.
Myth: Foreign medical volunteers with any kind of medical background are needed.
Reality: The local population almost always covers immediate lifesaving needs. Only medical personnel with skills that are not available in the affected country may be needed.
Myth: Any kind of international assistance is needed, and it’s needed now!
Reality: A hasty response that is not based on an impartial evaluation only contributes to the chaos. It is better to wait until genuine needs have been assessed.
Myth: Disasters bring out the worst in human behaviour.
Reality: Although isolated cases of antisocial behaviour exist, the majority of people respond spontaneously and generously.
Myth: The affected population is too shocked and helpless to take responsibility for their own survival.
Reality: On the contrary, many find new strength during an emergency, as evidenced by the thousands of volunteers who spontaneously unite to sift through the rubble in search of victims after an earthquake.
Myth: Things are back to normal within a few weeks.
Reality: The effects of a disaster last a long time. Disaster-affected countries deplete much of their financial and material resources in the immediate post-impact phase. Successful relief programs gear their operations to the fact that international interest wanes as needs and shortages become more pressing.