The World Health Organization’s Department of Health Action in Crises (HAC) is now led by Dr. Ala Alwan.

PAHO has moved its Disaster Program for Central America from Costa Rica to Panama.

In light of the current interest in pandemic influenza, we have dedicated this space to a selection of articles on the topic. We also recommend visiting the WHO website and...

Now, most PAHO/WHO video programs of the last 20 years have been converted to digital format and are available on DVD.

Hospitals are vulnerable to all types of natural hazards, and although we are more apt to recall the dramatic images of a health facility that has collapsed following an earthquake,...

With the soon-to-be-released Disaster Publications Catalog, PAHO/WHO aims at widening its dissemination of disaster related information.  The catalog will be available in both English and Spanish and fully searchable on...

Health workers and social communicators met with journalists in Bolivia during a workshop on how to establish a two-way dialogue, improve collaboration and become more effective in how we generate...

Peru’s Ministry of Health organized a meeting of the nation’s epidemiology, disaster and environmental health networks. 

Brazil’s Environmental Sanitation Technology Company joined forces with national authorities in Ecuador to carry out a course on chemical accidents. 

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean is preparing an evaluation of the socioeconomic impact of Hurricane Stan, which lashed Guatemala with heavy rains in October 2005.

In Paraguay, several national health institutions participated in two popular disaster courses—Evaluation of Damage and Needs (EDAN) and Hospital Disaster Planning (PHD). 

The West Indies is gearing up to host the Cricket World Cup beginning next March 2007. Events will take place in eight venues in the Caribbean and are sure to...

Much of the Haitian population remains extremely vulnerable to a variety of health emergencies due to natural disasters and social unrest.  In spite of these security issues, PAHO/WHO efforts continue...

MSF has published a new manual titled Psychosocial and Mental Health Interventions in Areas of Mass Violence, which can also be used for coordination efforts during natural disasters.

This year’s report considers the quality of communication that takes place between those involved in disasters and what impact information has on the people caught up in a crisis.

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the World Health Organization have concluded that guidelines for the care of children in emergency situations need to be...

Planning for an influenza pandemic is a complex process that requires coordinated efforts and an approach that best utilizes an entire organization’s expertise. PAHO/WHO has begun this process by creating...

A lack of procedures, communication and equipment can significantly reduce the effectiveness of a response to a disaster that exceeds any country’s capacity to manage it. As a result, PAHO/WHO...

Prevention of and preparedness for a potential influenza pandemic requires collaboration among several sectors - health, agriculture, government, international organizations, universities and research centers. A cooperative approach is not only...