Health sector response to the Bam earthquake: lessons learnt

Abstract

After any major disaster it is critical to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian relief. The delivery of medical supplies, provision of basic medical equipment and establishment of monitoring systems all require streamlined coordination and collaboration of relief partners. In its support of national authorities the international community plays a central role in both managing and delivering relief supplies and technical assistance. The earthquake in Bam, Islamic Republic of Iran in 2003 affected more than 50 000 persons living in the area. Many of those injured or killed were health workers which had a significant impact on the delivery of health services. Humanitarian assistance was mobilized within hours of the earthquake to treat the injured, care for survivors and bury the dead. After the acute emergency phase, the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iranian Red Crescent Society, UNICEF, UNFPA and the Iranian Petroleum Industry Health Organization facilitated a collective exercise whereby all stakeholders discussed and evaluated their inputs to the health sector as part of the overall humanitarian response to the earthquake. This document illustrates the outcomes of the lessons learned exercise