After a disaster, do . . .

* Consult with the countries' health disaster coordinators for information about post-disaster health needs. Each country in Latin America and the Caribbean has a designated health disaster coordinator. After a disaster, this coordinator will conduct an assessment, in cooperation with PAHO/WHO and interested Ngo's, to determine health needs. Don't start collecting relief items until you have this information.

* Whenever possible, donate cash or credit directly to the national health authorities, to international agencies, or channel it through well-established private agencies. Most of the relief items needed can be purchased locally or in neighboring countries. Cash also can be used to restore the pre-disaster level of health care conditions and to replace national resources that have diverted from essential programs and used for the emergency.

* Assist countries during the preparedness, rehabilitation and reconstruction phases. Unfortunately, disasters are rarely newsworthy once the immediate emergency phase is over. Yet, after a disaster, an affected country will deplete much of its financial and material resources. Later, the affected country will need even more international aid for repairs and reconstruction.

* Coordinate the efforts of independent assessment teams or fact-finding missions with those of the affected country and other agencies.