International Health Relief Assistance - Recommendations Approved at the Meeting of International Health Relief Assistance in Latin America (PAHO): Preparedness

International Health Relief Assistance - Recommendations Approved at the Meeting of International Health Relief Assistance in Latin America (PAHO)

		(introductory text...)
		Preface
		Consultation with Health Authorities and International Agencies
		Assessment of Health Needs
		Donation of Equipment and Supplies
		Health personnel
		Role of international agencies
		Appeals for international assistance
		Disaster management
		Preparedness
		Resolutions Approved by the Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization

Preparedness

Disaster preparedness must be granted the importance it deserves.

The Participants

The Participants,

Stressing the need for the countries to be self-reliant in the provision of immediate health care to disaster victims;

Considering the need to grant to disaster preparedness the importance it deserves; and

Taking into consideration the resolutions adopted by the PAHO Directing Council,

Recommend that.

1. PAHO Member Countries increase their efforts to comply with the resolutions adopted by the PAHO Directing Council.

2. Donor countries and organizations support, to the extent possible, the activities of international agencies, national health services, and other groups in disaster preparedness activities.

3. Countries and international organizations, taking advantage of acquired experiences, support field investigations in order to determine the needs related to the different types of disaster.

4. Countries develop, to the extent possible, bilateral collaboration projects between neighboring countries in order to provide timely regional assistance.

5. Training of emergency preparedness in case of disaster be encouraged at all educational levels.