Positive interactions at the market place
To some people discussions may seem to lack of concrete proposals and actions. For the more cynical, the platform is considered as a waste of money and waste of time, since principles discussed here are not binding. Regional and local gatherings are more useful, meaningful and effective than events bringing together interested parties from all over the world.
The days are long and maybe not long enough. Consultations, meetings, sessions and presentations are going on as ideas and information are flowing at a frantic rhythm. The forum is comparable to a gigantic brainstorming where one has to found is place. So, one can wonder at the end of the day how the platform can make a difference.
At the market place, located on level 0 of the CICG building, participants can interact openly with various representatives from NGO’s to International Institutions. Here, participants can receive information and advices that they can sometimes directly apply when they fly back to their home country. Staff at PAHO/WHO booth revealed that interaction with the public was very rich.
“There was a very strong interest in DRR-related health issues” said Pan American Health Organization of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) communication officer. She was surprised that people came here with very clear questions, so she could really give concrete tools. For example, they would discuss issues, like dead bodies management during disasters or hospital construction planning. The staff would provide advice and give CD/DVD as material support. Usually, people who consulted the booth came from all over the world and worked as delegates or hospital managers.
PAHO/WHO was present in previous events such as the Regional Platform for DRR for the Americas 2012 in Chile. The global platform gives the opportunity to see the final evolution of concepts and ideas that have emerged at local levels and grew through national and regional levels. The principles may be simple, but there are here, and guidelines can help decision-makers in their daily work. The post-2015 global development agenda is very important and DRR must be included in it.
Good preparation for disaster reduces time recovery. Chile suffered a massive earthquake in 2004 – 8.8 magnitude. Thanks to DRR policies, Chile has recovered in a few months. Hospitals were built with anti-seismic structures and victims/patients were attended without interruption, minimising negative impacts on population health. In 2010, Haiti experienced a similar earthquake which caused massive damages and high number of deaths. The country lacked of risk management and could not respond quickly. Hospitals were completely destroyed and operations were happening without respecting minimal hygienic conditions. To date, Haiti is still recovering from the earthquake. It shows that DRR must be taken seriously, especially by countries at risks.
Hospitals are important assets in strengthening community resilience. Without hospitals, victims of disasters cannot be assisted and treated appropriately. The health and sanitarian risks are likely to increase causing death. It makes disaster recovery even more complicated and difficult. Health staff should know how to manage risk in order to provide the best respond to the population need in case of disaster. The Organization will hold a discussion Thursday 24th in room 7+8. It will look at building safer hospitals in DRR.
More information: www.healthanddisasters.info
reported by Vanessa Esteves
Posted by tdjvenuik
- 8 years ago
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