An outbreak of scurvy in Somali refugee camps*

Between June and October 1982, an outbreak of scurvy occurred in the refugee camps of Somalia. An epidemiologic investigation eventually detected more than 2,000 cases. The outbreak came at a time when the relief programme had been well established and the general health status of the refugees had otherwise stabilized. We report on 72 of the cases. Joint pain of the lower extremities and gingivitis were prominent features in the majority. Hemorrhagic phenomena were not observed and no deaths occurred. The outbreak primarily affected the poorer refugees who were unable to purchase locally available Vitamin C-containing foods. This outbreak demonstrates the vulnerability of a large population of displaced persons who are dependent on imported relief supplies for survival.     

The Pyrenees earthquake of 1660: Effects in France

Until 1975 or so, scientists' knowledge of the major earthquake of 1660 in the Pyrenees (in Bigorre) was largely restricted to the meagre information repeated in the classical catalogues. Useful material published in local learned journals was mostly unknown, and has only been unearthed and interpreted since 1976, when two year's work of analysis was started for the "Projet Sismo-tectonique" in France. During and since that project, further routine work necessary for the revision of the historical seismicity of France, has brought to light a new wealth of information from archive sources. This new knowledge, at least from the French side, is used as the basis for a brief macroseismic review of the event north of the Pyrenees, putting forward proposals for the isoseismal lines. Emphasis is placed on the number and quality of the sources, some of which are quoted for evidence of major rockfalls in the meizoseismal region and the wide extent of the felt area, as far north as Salnt-Maixent in Poitou.     

The 'who' and 'what' of training far disaster relief

This paper defines the various levels within government, the voluntary agencies and the community which might benefit from training and makes suggestions as to where the emphasis should be placed. It points out that training programmes should be designed to meet the expressed needs of a particular group of trainees as well as be related to the current or potential disaster situation.     

A preliminary investigation of socio-economic problems following the 1978 Thessaloniki (Greece) earthquake

The consequences of social and economic disruption in the city of Thessaloniki following the large earthquake in 1978 are investigated. Specifically, the phenomenon of organized life in camps for Thessaloniki residents over a long period of time is studied. With the use of a questionnaire, all data regarding each person in the camps were assembled and processed with the correspondence analysis method.     

Lake Elsinore disaster: The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

A case study of a flood which occurred at Lake Elsinore, California, February, 1980, focuses upon the assistance which the community received during both the flood and recovery periods. Relevant literature on disaster research is examined, including a model of disaster recovery, and the study places the events which occurred din Lake Elsinore within that recovery model. Implications for policy include the recommendation that decision-makers consider the pre-disaster growth of the community indecisions to support recovery assistance.     

Training of expatriate refugee health workers: Principles and practices

Abstract—This paper describes in detail the separate components of an ideal expatriate refugee health worker training course. Emphasis is given to organizational aspects of such courses.