Myth busters

Experts on disaster management from various countries recently gathered at Delhi University to discuss the impact of disasters on health, economy and society. The experts all agreed that there is a need to collect information on disasters of three dominant forms - earthquakes, windstorms and floods.
The experts concluded that in order to carry out effective disaster management a systematic collection of facts and analysis of studies should be done in disaster areas across Asia and Europe.The meeting was hosted under European Union's sixth framework programme called Microdis. According to P C Joshi, professor, Delhi University, there are many myths about disasters on the basis of which previous disaster management plans have gone awry.
The discussion revealed that there exists an acute dearth of evidence based on scientifically collected data on various parameters that has led to various myths and misconceptions.
"One of the myths associated with disasters is that all disasters lead to epidemics. However, in reality only a few disasters lead to epidemics while most do not warrant this," informed Joshi.
Debarati Guha-Sapir, director, Centre for the Research on Epidemiology of Disasters, School of Public Health, Brussels, said that myths like 'dead bodies will bring epidemics' make experts create wrong strategies for disaster-affected areas. "Another myth is that disasters require any kind of immediate assistance for rescue. However, when disasters occur local resources are the most effective resources available to protect further damage," added Guha-Sapir.
The meet primarily looked to develop a common methodology that could guide the systematic and scientific collection of data to help experts in policy and plan implementation.
The countries that will now be studied include the UK, France, Germany, Italy, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines. The results of the worldwide research will be compared and a database will be created to understand and interpret disaster trends.
Those participating in the European Union meet on disaster management included Maureen Fordham, Northumbria University, UK; Terry Cannon, Greenwich University, UK; Michael Marx, Heidelberg University, Germany; Patrick Pigeon, Savoie University, France; Sundaryo, University of Indonesia; HA Van Nhu, Hanoi School of Public Health, Vietnam; and Lonog Sharon, Xavier University, Philippines.