Sharing an informative snippets from the World Health Organization about Emergency Humanitarian Assistance (myth versus reality). This was originally shared and posted from my other blog – www.mumkhal.com.

Myth # 1:

Foreign medical volunteers with any kind of medical background are needed.

Reality:

The local almost always covers immediate lifesaving needs. Only medical personnel with skills that are not available in the affected country may be needed.

Myth # 2:

Any kind of international assistance is needed and it’s needed now!

Reality:

A hasty response that is not based on an impartial evaluation only contributes to the chaos. It is better to wait until genuine needs have been assessed.

Myth # 3:

Epidemics and plagues are inevitable after every disaster.

Reality:

Epidemics do no spontaneously occur after a disaster and dead bodies will not lead to catastrophic outbreaks of exotic diseases. The key to preventing disease is to improve sanitary conditions and educate the public.

Myth # 4:

Disasters bring out the worst in human behaviour.

Reality:

Although isolated cases of antisocial behaviour exists, the majority of people respond spontaneously and generously.

Myth # 5:

The affected population is too shocked and helpless to take responsibility for their own survival.

Reality:

On the contrary, many find new strength during an emergency, as evidenced by the thousands of volunteers who flock to the disaster site, looking for ways to help.

Myth # 6:

Disasters are random killers.

Reality:

Disasters strike hardest at the most vulnerable group, the poor – especially women, children and the elderly.

Myth # 7:

Locating disaster victims in temporary settlement is the best alternative.

Reality:

It should be the last alternative. Many agencies use funds normally spent for tents to purchase building materials, tools, and other construction-related support in the affected country.

Myth # 8:

Things are back to normal within a few weeks.

Reality:

The effects of a disaster last a long time. Disaster-affected countries deplete much of their financial and material resources in the immediate post-impact phase. Successful relief programs gear their operations to the fact that international interest wanes as needs and shortages become more pressing.

Source: Emergency Humanitarian Assistance, World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Action, Preparedness, Collaboration Fact Sheets. Manila: WHO-WPRO. 2005.