CISMID, JICA, PAHO course on Seismic Engineering

The Center for Seismic Engineering and Mitigation of Disasters (CISMID), together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and PAHO sponsored the first in a series of Spanish-language courses for high-level professionals from more than 15 countries. Análisis de Riesgo en el Diseño de Hospitales en Zonas Sísmicas was held in Lima from 20 August to 9 September. The course brought together structural engineers and architects with experience in or responsibility for health sector institutions and hospital administrators from earthquake-prone countries in the region. Presentations on the latest information and techniques in specialized areas of seismic engineering, design and management of health facilities were given by experts in these fields. Excellent exchanges of ideas occurred due to the caliber of the participants in this course, each of whom gave a presentation on his or her area of specialty. For more information on the outcome of this course or for information on future training courses, contact Centro de Ingeniería Sísmica y Mitigación de Desastres (CISMID), Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, UNI, Apartado 1301, Lima, Perú

Hurricane Hugo

For the second year in a row, a major hurricane dealt a devastating blow to the Caribbean, almost exactly one year after Hurricane Gilbert. Many health sector facilities are still feeling the effects of that powerful storm.

In the late hours of 16 September, Hugo struck the Eastern Caribbean with winds of more than 140 m.p.h. In its wake, common health problems and priorities emerged: rapid repairs to and rehabilitation of hospitals and clinics (temporary or permanent roofing, mattresses, small equipment) and monitoring of water quality.

Thanks to preparedness measures - discharging patients or evacuating them to safer areas - the hurricane did not claim any lives nor cause severe injuries in hospitals, despite the physical damage.

PAHO's Caribbean Program Coordinator's Office in Barbados organized the post-disaster health assessment. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and CARICOM assumed an increasingly important coordination role, working primarily with Jamaican and Barbadian teams and contingents from Trinidad and Guyana. In an excellent display of Caribbean self-reliance, the most useful and rapid assistance was provided by neighboring countries, even if they were affected.

Communications is always one of the most serious post-hurricane problems (see page 2.) The U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, the Red Cross and PAHO sent telecommunications teams with the portable satellite equipment. Although this provided the only land-based means of international communication for national authorities (apart from ham radio operators), it was not enough to cover a multi-island disaster.

Antigua and Barbuda, with a population of approximately 80,000, was spared the storm's full strength. Although the hurricane severely damaged the General Hospital, the standby generator was soon operating. Barbuda's hospital suffered greater damages to walls and the roof. Telephone service was restored sooner than on other islands, but electric power was out for 1015 days. The office of the Pan Caribbean Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Project (PCDPPP), based in Antigua, was used as an inter-island communication center.

Guadeloupe, a French department of 300,000 persons, sustained very heavy damages, primarily to the agricultural and housing sectors. Water pumping and purification stations could not function because of the lack of electricity. Many roads w e r e impassable. There were health needs as France and French departments provided substantial assistance to cover the immediate requirements.

Montserrat, the smallest island with a population of 12,000, suffered the most devastation. With 20% of the homes completely destroyed and another 50% very severely damaged, shelter became the most pressing need. Twenty-seven shelters were established, the largest of which housed some 300 persons. Latrines were quickly constructed as 80% of the shelters had no sanitation; 90% were without running water. The government identified shelter management and organization as a priority area for future training.

In St. Kitts and Nevis, population 45,000, the main hospital was damaged and flooding caused its partial evacuation. The operating theater of the hospital in Nevis lost its roof making surgery impossible. The damage to the electric power system affected the water supply and distribution. Canada provided emergency financial assistance and generators to restore the water supply, while Trinidad and Tobago provided the water quality technicians to monitor this project.

Hurricane Hugo continued its path of destruction through the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico before slamming into the southeast coast of the US.

Photos: Carlos Gaggero/PAHO