Disaster management

All countries must identify their vulnerability to disasters and establish appropriate measures to mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable populations.

The Participants

The Participants,

Recognizing the health focus of this meeting;

Aware that disaster management and related political aspects have a significant impact on the provision of short and medium-term health care;

Recognizing that disaster relief in its initial phases often requires other technologies associated with health;

Referring to the United Nations General Assembly's resolutions giving UNDRO the responsibility to support country preparedness plans and prevention programs; and

Aware of the fact that the establishment of a communication system can be no longer postponed,

Recommend that:

1 All countries identify their vulnerability to natural and man made disasters;

2 All countries establish appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of disasters on the most vulnerable populations;

3 International agencies and countries encourage the development of common relief management systems;

4 These management systems include on-site management of the emergency, as well as the support systems of communications, search, rescue, and logistics and their related technologies;

5 Countries and international agencies develop plans, training methods, and simulation exercises as part of their preparedness activities; and

6. Countries promote and carry out, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, the establishment of a quick, continuous and permanent communication system among the countries of the Americas.