Earthquakes and Public Health Response:
A Massive Earthquake Struck Japan
On Friday, March 11 a 8.9-magnitude earthquake — the fifth largest in recorded history in the world — struck near Japan causing widespread devastation. It struck about 80 miles off Japan's east coast, roughly 240 miles northeast of Tokyo, at a depth of six miles. The catastrophic quake triggered a 23-foot tsunami and was followed for hours by more than 50 aftershocks, many of them more than magnitude 6.0. The tsunami wreaked havoc along a huge stretch of Japan's northeast coast, sweeping far inland and devastating a number of towns and villages.
The death toll from the earthquake, the massive tsunami that followed and an ongoing series of aftershocks is expected to reach in the thousands.
Damaged nuclear energy plants have raised fears of a radioactive threat.
U.S. Response to Crisis:
>> U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Response
>> Response from the White House
How to Help:
>> InterAction provides list of several reputable relief agencies who are accepting donations for earthquake relief.
>> American Red Cross
Earthquake Info:
>> Travel Alert from U.S. Department of State
>> Radiation Emergencies
>>
http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec41441/index.htm
Earthquake information for clinicians
CDC has updated several fact sheets that provide information health care providers and responders can utilize before, during and after an earthquake. This includes potential health concerns that patients may present either on the ground or returning from Haiti.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/clinicians.asp
Resources
APHA is providing free access to its Public Health Management of Disasters: The Pocket Guide here. The pocket guide, based on the best-selling Public Health Management of Disasters: The Practice Guide, 2nd Edition, provides a quick field resource for public health interventions in the days immediately following emergencies.
Both resources may also be ordered online.
The Pocket Guide by Linda Young Landesman, DrPH, MSW
The Practice Guide by Linda Young Landesman, DrPH, MSW
Preparedness information and Haiti news updates for public health professionals and clinicians:
Resource Guide for Public Health Preparedness
Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Work Force
Medscape Public Health and Prevention
Preparing for earthquakes
Earthquakes can happen almost anywhere and usually come without warning. Preparing for an earthquake and knowing what to do if one happens near you is important. You can learn more about preparing for earthquakes and other natural disasters on APHA’s Get Ready campaign Web site.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chile Recovering from Earthquake
On Feb. 27, 2010, a devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Concepcion in Chile. The temblor also triggered a tsunami. According to the Chilean Government, the death toll continues to grow with more than 700 people who have lost their lives. In addition, significant damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure is reported in towns near Concepcion as well as the capital, Santiago. APHA extends its condolences to the victims of this disaster.
Below are the links to some of the organizations that are moving to quickly assist with relief operations.
American Red Cross
Doctors Without Borders
Salvation Army
International Medical Corps
InterAction
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haiti Earthquake Response Is Ongoing
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near Port-au-Prince affecting as many as 3 million people. Aid organizations and governments from around the world have been responding and providing urgently needed medical attention, food, safe drinking water, shelter and other necessities to the thousands of people who are injured, displaced or otherwise affected.
The need in Haiti is still enormous. Learn more about the current response below and updated travel advisories for relief workers.
U.S. response to the crisis
U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations have been working very hard in Haiti and making strides to help it recover from its worst earthquake in more than 200 years. Medical supplies, support equipment and several teams have been deployed to Haiti; these include an International Medical Surgical Response Team, Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and an Incident Response Coordination Team. U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps personnel are serving on the USNS Comfort as part of the medical staff.
You can learn more about the U.S. response and current updates on the websites below.
The White House
U.S. Agency for International Development
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
How to help
Financial contributions are still needed. If you can, please donate to any of the organizations working to meet basic needs and provide medical and food aid.
InterAction is a coalition of nongovernmental organizations focused on the world’s poor and most vulnerable people. To view a list of member organizations working in Haiti, visit http://www.interaction.org/article/interaction-members-respond-earthquake-haiti.
CDC Foundation
The CDC Foundation organized a response to support CDC teams that are on the ground in Haiti. Donations are being collected to detect and control disease outbreaks and contribute to rebuilding Haiti's public health infrastructure. Make a gift today: CDC Foundation's Global Disaster Response Fund.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are usually limited to people with prior experience and technical skills such as health or engineering. Below are the organizations where you can register your skills and experience for a possible volunteer opportunity.
Center for International Disaster Information
Association of Schools of Public Health
American Medical Association
American Nurses Association
Relief workers and other personnel traveling to Haiti to assist with the humanitarian response need to be advised that conditions in the area remain hazardous, including extensive damage to buildings, roads and other infrastructure. The most up-to-date information and travel advisories can be found here:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/haiti-earthquake-travel.aspx