Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Dr S. R. Salunke Regional Advisor, Emergency and Humanitarian i Action World Health Organization, SEARO Summary This presentation will present an overview Risks and hazards in the Asia Pacific Disaster preparedness and response in countries in South East Asia before and after the Tsunami Benchmarking for preparedness and response :a critical step in the standardization of systems for emergency preparedness and response Human Resource issues in emergency preparedness and response Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 1 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 2 Risks and Hazards in the Asia Pacific Region Natural disasters by number of deaths - 2005 Disaster Country Nos. Earthquake, October Pakistan 73 338 Hurricane Stan, October Guatemala 1 513 Hurricane Katrina, August United States 1 322 Earthquake, October India 1309 Flood, July India 1200 Earthquake, March Indonesia 915 Flood, June China 771 Earthquake, February Iran, Islam Rep 612 Measles Epidemic Nigeria 561 Flood, February Pakistan 520 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 3 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 4 Countries most hit by natural disasters - 2005 Country Nos. China P Rep 31 India 30 United States 16 Afghanistan 13 Bangladesh 12 Pakistan 11 Vietnam, Indonesia, Romania 10 Iran (Islam Rep), Russia 9 Haiti 8 Mexico, Turkey 7 2004 Percentage of people killed by natural disaster category: 2004 and 2005 Hydrometeorological, Hydrometeorolo 6.10% gical, 6.10% Biological, 1.30% Geological (including tsunami), 92.60% 2005 Hydrometeorological, Hydrometeorolo 13.70% gical, 13.70% Biological, 3.40% Geological (including tsunami), 82.90% Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 5 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 6 1
Time trend of natural disasters, 1975-2005* 600 500 400 300 200 Natural Disasters in 2005 2005 1995-2004 yearly average No. of country-level disasters 428 322 No. of countries affected 127 108 No. of People killed 89,916 77,320 100 No. of people affected 160 million 253,895,912 0 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Economic damages (US$) 159 billion 65.5 billion * Natural disasters = Country-level disasters Source of data: EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED of the International Disaster Database Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 7 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 8 Natural Disaster Facts. 1980-2000 Claimed 3 million lives world-wide wide Adversely affected the lives of 800 million people Property damage exceeding $23 billion AFR, 73, 12% Major Natural Disasters in 1990s (by WHO Region) EUR, 67, 11% EMR, 56, 9% AMR, 156, 25% 2005 alone Claimed 90,000 lives world-widewide Adversely affected the lives of 160 million people Property damage estimates $159 billion SEAR, 120, 19% WPR, 145, 24% Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 9 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 10 Total number of people killed in natural disasters Africa (1995 to 2004) Americas Asia (excluding 48812 5% 81952 9% SEAR countries) 115586 Europe 13% 64368 7% SEAR countries 587189 66% Table 1. Summary of hazards present in the SEA Region Hazards Earthquakes Cyclones and storm surges Tidal waves/tsunami Floods Drought Tornadoes Volcanic eruption Complex emergencies/ civil unrest and conflict Biological, chemical and radionuclear threats Country Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and Timor-Leste Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste India, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, All countries DPR Korea, Parts of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste Parts of Bangladesh Indonesia Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste Variable risks for all countries Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 11 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 12 2
Hazards in the Western Pacific Region Natural Hazards 1. Sudden impact or acute onset: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunami, tornadoes, tropical storms, hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, floods, avalanches,, wildfires,, cold weather, large-scale outbreaks (SARS), etc. 2. Slow or chronic onset: drought, famine, environmental degradation, chronic exposure to toxic substances, desertification, pest infestation (e.g.locusts), etc. Hazards in the Region Hazards inducing Human-generated Disasters 1. Industrial/technological: explosions, fires, system failures/accidents, chemical/radiation, spillages, pollution, terrorism, etc. 2. Transportation: vehicular crash, plane crash, ship sinking, etc. 3. Deforestation 4. Material shortage Hazards inducing Complex Emergency Wars and civil strife, armed aggression, insurgency, and other actions resulting in displaced persons and refugees Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 13 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 14 Impact of Disasters to the Public s Health Global Health Facts 11 million children under 5 die every year 6 million die every year of preventable diseases Each day HIV/AIDS kills 6,000 people and affects another 8,200 More than 2.6 billion do not have basic sanitation More than 1 billion people don t have access to safe drinking water So why are disasters important? Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 15 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 16 Public Health Implications of Disasters The health consequences of hazards include: Increased number of deaths and injuries Population displacement New cases of disease and disability Increased number of cases of psychological and social behavioural disorders Possible food shortages and nutritional deficiencies Contamination or injury of relief personnel Public Health Implications of Disasters Environmental health hazards Damage to healthcare facilities and other health infrastructures Disruption of routine health services Disruption of routine disease surveillance Diversion of development resources to emergency relief Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 17 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 18 3
Health, Development and Disasters Development can be defined as process leading to a progressive increase of the levels of health, wealth, wisdom and security for all members of a community UN defines 5 fundamental pillars of development: Health Education Environment Governance Employment (Economy) Security Health and the Millennium Development Goals Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Goal 5: Reduce maternal mortality Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other preventable diseases Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8: Develop a global partnership to development Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 19 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 20 Differences in Countries Challenges in Asia and the Pacific Member States have a wide range of differences in the following National capacities Priority hazards Socio-cultural cultural and political systems The coverage and quality of existing basic health services Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 21 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 22 Preparedness Pre - Tsunami BAN BHU IND INO MAV MMR NEP SRL THA TLS National + + + + - + + - + + Disaster Plan Disaster and emergency programmes + - + + - - + + + - within the MoH (not just a focal point) Related legislation + - + + - + + - + - Source : Working paper for the Consultative Committee for Planning and Development and 58th Regional Committee 2005 Preparedness Post - Tsunami In an effort to consolidate the lessons of the tsunami SEAR countries got together to develop a set of benchmarks to ensure that the essential elements of emergency preparedness and response are in place in national and local systems Main categories Multi-sectoral coordination Community empowerment Capacity building Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 23 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 24 4
1. Legal framework and functioning coordination mechanisms 2. Regularly updated disaster preparedness and emergency management plans 3. Emergency financial, physical and regular human resource allocation and accountability procedures 4. Rules of engagement (including conduct) for external humanitarian agencies ; 5. Comprehensive community plans for risk management 6. Community-based response and preparedness capacity developed, supported with training and regular simulation/ mock drills; 7. Local capacity for emergency provision of essential services and supplies 8. Advocacy and awareness 9. Capacity to identify risks and assess vulnerability at all levels established; 10. Human resource capabilities continuously updated d and maintained; i 11.Health facilities built/modified to withstand expected risks, and 12. Early warning and surveillance systems for identifying health concerns established. Significant progress as been made by countries in identifying gaps in these benchmarks and activities and policies which contribute towards achieving them Human Resource For Health Assessment Results South-East Asia Region Number and distributional Imbalance Inefficient skills mix Western Pacific Region Shortages; uneven distribution Skill mix imbalance Poor training and technical skills Weak health workforce knowledge base Personnel management issues Poor salaries and remuneration involving non-existent career structures Sources: Human Resources for Health in the South-East Asia Region. Regional Priorities and Challenges. WHO. Regional Office for South-East Asia. New Delhi;; Regional Strategy on Human Resources for Health 2006-2015. WHO. Regional Office for the Western Pacific Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 25 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 26 Human Resources for Health Assessment Results South-East Asia Region Inadequate staff supervision Lack of support and poor working environment Lack of opportunities for personal development Exodus from rural to urban and migration to developed countries Western Pacific Region Work environments with inadequate facilities, medical supplies and equipment Unplanned migration from rural to urban and abroad One of the essential public health functions is that of addressing public health emergencies Capacity to respond to disasters and emergencies is determined by the investment in preparedness and an essential part of this is human resources There are issues and corresponding solutions that need to be identified and addressed for human resources in this are of public health Sources: Human Resources for Health in the South-East Asia Region. Regional Priorities and Challenges. WHO. Regional Office for South-East Asia. New Delhi; Regional Strategy on Human Resources for Health 2006-2015. WHO. Regional Office for the Western Pacific Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 27 Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 28 Thank you Disasters in the Asia Pacific Region Slide No: 29 5