Disasters

Question 1

Define a “disaster”

Answer 1

A disruption of normal life and activities that requires the affected community to make extraordinary efforts to cope with it and usually requires outside help

Question 2

Name the different types of disaster

Answer 2

Natural - acute or chronic onset
Man-made - Industrial, Transport Related, Deforestation
Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

Question 3

Define a “fragile state”

Answer 3

A low income country characterised by a weak state capacity and weak state legitimacy leaving citizens vulnerable to a range of shocks

Question 4

Define a “failed state”

Answer 4

A state characterised by political and economic failure with collapse of infrastructure and social norms

Question 5

Define “risk”

Answer 5

The probability that an action will lead to an undesirable outcome

Question 6

What are risks a product of?

Answer 6

Hazards and vulnerability

Question 7

What is a hazard?

Answer 7

A damaging thing that could occur and the probability with which it could occur

Question 8

What is vulnerability?

Answer 8

The likelihood that the population will be affected by and unable to cope with the event

Question 9

Give 3 types of study used for outbreak investigations

Answer 9

Cohort study, case control study and descriptive study

Question 10

Name the major components of the initial assessment

Answer 10

Methods, content, sources of information

Question 11

Provide some sources of information prior to deployment

Answer 11

CIA world factbook, WHO
Embassies
Libraries

Question 12

Give some existing assessment systems

Answer 12

MIRA, HESPER

Question 13

Name some types of surveillance systems

Answer 13

Comprehensive, sentinel, laboratory based, clinical (symptom based)

Question 14

What are the phases of a disaster?

Answer 14

Emergency and post emergency phase

Question 15

Name some epidemiological key indicators

Answer 15

CMR, CFR, Age specific, Maternal, <5YMR Morbidity
Incidence, Attack rate, Incidence rate
Prevalence
Nutritional status
Health services
Vital needs

Question 16

What are the characteristics of a post conflict society?

Answer 16

Declining economic and political structures
Decentralised states with power associated with armed groups
Needs external help

Question 17

Methods for initial assessment

Answer 17

Objectives, Preparation, Information sought, Obtaining information, Validity & Bias, Personnel,
Deployment, Reporting

Question 18

What are the objectives of the initial assessment?

Answer 18

Whether or not to intervene?
Define priorities
Plan
Communicate to refugees, international community and donors

Question 19

Content of the initial assessment

Answer 19

Geopolitical context
Description of the population
Characteristics of the environment in which refugees have settled
Major health problems
Requirements in terms of human and material resource
Operating partners

Question 20

How would you collect information before deployment?

Answer 20

On line (IRINS, CIA World Factbook, WHO website etc).
Embassy/consulate of affected country(s)
Libraries (Universities, medical schools etc)

Question 21

How would you collect information in the field?

Answer 21

Host government
Medical services in affected country
Local authorities
WHO & Other UN agencies
Aid agencies in the field
Affected communities
Use of aerial photographs
Interviews
Direct observation
Sample surveys

Question 22

What are some systems for communicable disease control?

Answer 22

Disease surveillance systems (EWARN)

Public health systems

Question 23

What health services and support infrastructures are required?

Answer 23

Laboratory services clinical and public health laboratory facilities
Medical material (medications in use/licensed, availability, supply chain, storage)
Blood banking
Vaccination programmes
Cold chain arrangements

Question 24

What is public health intelligence?

Answer 24

Public health intelligence is involved with gathering and analysing information about the determinants of health, the causes of ill health and the patterns and trends of health and ill health in a population to support decision-making to improve the health of the population.

Question 25

What are the components of health risk management?

Answer 25

Hazard identification
Monitoring activities
Risk assessment
Risk management
Population at risk

Question 26

Name some features of effective surveillance systems

Answer 26

Acceptable to those surveying
Simple and flexible
Appropriate to those surveyed
Compatible with existing systems
Appropriate in terms of information required
Done in a timely manner
Appropriate in terms of resources available