Workshop on managing disaster health information

Abstract

Countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region are highly vulnerable to disasters; with 38% of all global disasters in the last two decades occurring here. Almost two thirds (‎61%)‎ of all deaths due to disasters globally have been reported from this Region during 1998-2008. Civil conflicts have also displaced several thousands in affected countries. It is crucial that an information management system is in place so that programmes for risk reduction, preparedness and response to disasters become more effective. A set of policies, systems, databases and products need to be in place for correct decision-making in all phases of disasters. An information management system that stores all types of data for disasters and emergencies and allows for analysis and collates lessons from several events. A workshop titled 'Managing Disaster Health Information" was conducted at Jakarta, Indonesia from 10-12 November 2009 to share the experiences of countries in the management of various types of information and achieve consensus on methodologies to start a system to manage information on health for disasters and emergencies.