5. Perspectives

Valuable lessons were learned and certain preoccupations awakened in the aftermath of this disaster, which affected one of the largest cities in the world. In this city of disperse and complex character, immense losses of material goods and human lives were sustained, and serious damage, some irreparable, was done to the cultural heritage of this country and of the world.

This unfortunate event revealed the need to:

1. Strengthen the health sector plans for managing disaster situations.
2. Elaborate vulnerability and contingency plans, especially for geographic or geopolitical areas at high risk.
3. Elaborate hospital plans to manage internal and external disasters, and to continually train health personnel in the management of these types of emergencies.
4. Develop techniques and methodologies for the rescue of trapped persons in collapsed buildings.
5. Promote information and education programs for the public on first aid, community participation and what to do in the event of a disaster.
6. Promote information and training programs for the communications media on health aspects after disasters.
7. Develop information and motivation activities for donor countries and institutions so that they avoid sending non-solicited aid; provide instructions how to send international aid in an efficient and positive manner.