Community evacuation following a chlorine release, Mississippi

On 7th September 1986, four miles north of Collins, Mississippi, a train transporting chlorine derailed. Two cars ruptured and gas escaped. As a result, 100 families were evacuated. To study the evacuation process, we conducted person-to-person interviews with sixty-two families staying in the evacuation center. Only 52.5% of the families received their first directive to evacuate directly from police or other officials. Delays in evacuating tended to be shorter when people were warned by the police and were told the reason for evacuating. Lack of personal transportation and preexisting health problems resulted in delays in evacuation. Concerns about evacuation included fear of looting, lack of a place to go, lack of transportation, difficulty in moving with children and elderly persons, and the need to take care of pets. One third of the interviewees reported feeling panic. Community evacuation procedures would be improved if: (1) officials contact all households directly; (2) the warning message addresses people's concerns; and (3) transportation is provided.     

An examination of health data following two major earthquakes in Russia

Thus the hazards to health observed from these two earthquakes can be summarised as follows: (a) massive immediate damage, the main victims being women and children; (b) the seriously injured suffer mainly from fractures (17%), head injuries (15-30%) and soft tissue conusions with haemhorrage; (c) a change in the physical features of a country which unfavourably affect the environment; (d) some time after the earthquake the appearance of communicable disease; (e) increases in cases of cardiovascular disease neuroses and psychoses.     

Health effects of relocation following disaster: a systematic review of the literature

This paper reviews the literature on the effects of post-disaster relocation on physical and mental heath, and develops a conceptual framework to guide future research. Forty articles were selected for full-text review and incorporation into the conceptual framework. Twenty-four articles were reviewed for results and methodology. These overwhelmingly tracked mental health outcomes. Only four (16 per cent) focused on physical health. Eight of ten showed an association between relocation and psychological morbidity. Certain outcomes (such as mortality, injury and cardiovascular disease risk factors) revealed inconsistent results, but these were rarely studied. Despite the frequency of post-disaster relocation and evidence of its effect on psychological morbidity, there is a relative paucity of studies; the few examples in the literature reveal weak study designs, inconsistent results, and inattention to physical health impacts and the challenges facing vulnerable populations. Further research guided by theory is needed to inform emergency preparedness and recovery policy.     

Planning for chemical disasters in Greece

A mathematical model named DISASTER was applied in the Thessaloniki area for the assessment of potential hazards resulting from major accidents in local chemical industries. Some of these hazards are too severe to ignore and immediate measures are therefore required. Such measures need to comply with the EEC Directive 82/501/EEC on major accidents. The implementation of the Directive by the Greek authorities is examined and discussed.     

Decentralized Data Management in Nutritional Surveillance for Timely Warning and Intervention

In this paper we describe a theoretical approach for decentralized data management in sentinel community nutritional surveillance systems for timely warning and intervention, by using customized computer programs. By making the data available at lower levels first, the decentralized data management system builds the institutional capacity at regional, level and allows rapid and appropriate action by decision-makers. In addition, it facilitates the flow of information and strengthens the involvement of field staff. Reports from field experiences should further demonstrate the feasibility, efficacy, costs and benefits of customized data management computer programs.     

Post-conflict health reconstruction: search for a policy

Despite increasing experience in health reconstruction in societies emerging from conflict, the policy basis for investing in the development of equitable and effective health systems in the wake of war remains unsettled. Consideration of post-conflict health reconstruction is almost entirely absent in donor policies on global health. Practically by default, health programmes are seen increasingly as an element of stabilisation and security interventions in the aftermath of armed conflict. That perspective, however, lacks an evidence base and can skew health programmes towards short-term security and stabilisation goals that have a marginal impact and violate the principles of equity, non-discrimination, and quality, which are central to sound health systems and public acceptance of them. A better approach is to ground policy in legitimacy, viewing health both as a core social institution and one that, if developed according to human rights principles, including equity, non-discrimination, participation and accountability, can advance the effectiveness and the quality of governance in the emerging state.     

Disaster mental health training programmes in New York City following September 11, 2001

The need for mental health resources to provide care to the community following large‐scale disasters is well documented. In the aftermath of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster on September 11, 2001, many local agencies and organizations responded by providing informal mental health services, including disaster mental health training for practitioners. The quality of these programmes has not been assessed, however. The National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's School of Public Health reviewed disaster mental health training programmes administered by community‐based organizations, professional associations, hospitals, and government agencies after September 11. Results indicate that the quality and the effectiveness of programmes are difficult to assess. A wide range of curricula and a widespread lack of recordkeeping and credentialing of trainers were noted. Most of the training programmes provided are no longer available. Recommendations for improving the quality of disaster mental health training programmes are provided.     

化工工业园区无功补偿方案仿真研究

针对某化工工业园区电石炉群运行时造成园区功率因数低的问题,利用电力系统分析综合程序(Power System Analysis Software Package,PSASP)建立园区电石炉群仿真模型,提出合理的无功补偿方案,并通过仿真分析和计算,对方案的有效性进行了验证。仿真结果表明:该无功补偿方案能够有效提高园区功率因数,减少电石炉群运行时对电网的影响。     

An exposure-response method for assessing the long term health effects of the bhopal gas disaster

Approximately 200,000 persons were exposed to methyl isocyanate in the Bhopal Gas leak in Bhopal, India. 4037 deaths have resulted and 30 per cent of the population are estimated to be suffering from long-term health effects. Though inflammatory damage to the eyes and lungs is the main cause of morbidity, other systems are also reported to be affected. For a disaster of this magnitude, there is a relative paucity of medical information. Very little information has been published on the late recovery period, a phase in which the detection of chronic and long-term effects is vital. Early cross-sectional studies suffer from a number of defects in study design, including validity and precision of exposure and outcome variables, selection of study and control groups, etc. By using exposure concentrations derived from Singh's analytic dispersion model, this paper outlines a strategy for doing community epidemiology in Bhopal using exposure strata for sampling. Pulmonary dose can be estimated from exposure concentration, duration and activity during exposure. For respiratory end-points, a sample size of 100/stratum will ensure study power of 90 per cent. Using multiple linear regression, data from the study can be used to build a model for prediction of lung function parameters. Exposure-stratified sampling techniques may provide valid estimates of exposure-response without including the total exposed community.     

利用MM5模式对河西暴雪的数值模拟分析

利用NCEP资料和MM5模式模拟分析了2005年3月14-15日出现在甘肃河西西部的一次暴雪天气过程.结果表明:这次暴雪天气过程产生在从低空到高空的急流轴附近;由于600～500 hPa的辐合,促使形成近地面上升运动,从而使地面形成低压系统;相对湿度最大值在750～450 hPa之间,与辐合层基本一致,表明600 hPa附近有一条水汽输送通道,它与高空急流、500 hPa正涡度层、上升运动区等相吻合,为暴雪的产生提供了动力、热力和水汽条件.MM5模式很好地模拟出了暴雪的大致区域,显示了对这种中尺度天气系统具有较好的预报效果.     

Mental health in South Sudan: a case for community‐based support

This paper² provides a snapshot of the mental health situation in South Sudan between 2013 and 2016, taking account of the personal reflections of both authors who were engaged in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)³ programming in the country at this time.⁴ It begins by presenting an overview of MHPSS activities from this period, including governmental and non‐governmental organisation (NGO) services, and relevant research and coordination mechanisms. It goes on to illustrate the challenges to the provision of support, as well as the overarching structural, governance, and human resource constraints faced by the sector. Finally, recommendations are put forward for improving services and care for people suffering from psychosocial and mental health issues, as well as suggestions for areas of focus in the future. The importance of an integrated, community‐based model is emphasised, and opportunities for organisations engaged in reconciliation efforts and mental health service provision to collaborate are proposed.     

西线调水一期工程滑坡崩塌体灾害评价

南水北调西线工程的主要目标是要解决西北、华北地区的缺水问题.在现有资料和工作深度的基础上,对工程区滑坡崩塌体的稳定性进行了评价.研究表明:在整个工程区,库区内崩塌极为发育,滑坡较少;在不同的库区,岸坡的变形呈现出空间不均匀性.     

复杂河网平原地区的防洪调度决策——基于洪水灾害时空模拟的西洞庭湖冲柳地区案例研究

长江中下游大部分复杂河网平原地区的防洪调度决策由于缺乏全面准确的灾害预测手段而一直处于过度依赖经验调度的局面。这类调度手段适应性和操作性较强,但缺乏准确性和时效性,特别是存在着资源的极大浪费和极端条件下的洪水溢出情况。提出了从洪灾风险出发,通过运用ERDAS,Damage Calculator等模型相关模块,在GIS环境下对复杂河网平原地区进行洪水灾害的时间和空间动态模拟,预测和分析区域内各种条件下的洪灾风险时空分布,在此基础上计算洪水优化调度分洪序列,并最终制定针对性的防洪调度决策。研究结果表明,以洪水灾害风险为依据,在对区域洪水进行时空动态模拟基础上形成的防洪调度方法能够更有针对性地解决或缓解复杂河网平原地区特大洪水时期的分洪限洪问题,降低洪灾损失。     

The socioeconomic effects of a landslide in Western Washington

Abstract

Landslides can create permanently unstable sites that cannot be repaired or developed, and as a result, can cause severe economic and social consequences for families and communities. This study examines the economic and social effects of a landslide that struck Western Washington in February 1999. Two years after the landslide, property owners completed a confidential questionnaire. Property owners experienced significant personal financial losses and received little financial assistance to recover. Most (93%) did not receive any relief from their insurance policies, and 7% received only temporary rental assistance. Participants reported a variety of monetary and personal losses that were associated with emotional distress. They also reported a variety of gains and new perspectives on life. In this paper, we consider mechanisms to reduce the economic losses of landslides as well as implications and future research directions.     

Conducting research on disaster mental health in developing countries: a proposed model

The psychological consequences of disasters are known to be significant, but research efforts in developing countries have been sporadic. This paper reports a successful collaborative project conducted in Armero, Colombia, and in Ecuador. It outlines its origins, summarizes its findings, and identifies the essential ingredients that were responsible for its positive outcome. It is recommended that these guidelines be adhered to for the development of similar projects elsewhere, to ensure a significant impact on advancing the field, policy-making, delivering appropriate mental health care, and training of providers.     

Providing health services during a civil war: the experience of a garrison town in South Sudan

The impact of conflict, particularly conflict arising during civil wars, on the provision of healthcare is a subject that has not been widely considered in conflict‐related research. Combatants often target health services to weaken or to defeat the enemy, while attempts to maintain or improve health systems also can comprise part of counter‐insurgency ‘hearts‐and‐minds’ strategies. This paper describes the dynamics associated with the provision of health services in Malakal, an important garrison town in South Sudan, during the second Sudanese civil war (1983–2005). Drawing on the concepts of opportunity hoarding and exploitation, it explores the social and political dynamics of service provision in and around the town during the war. These concepts provide a useful lens with which to understand better how health services are affected by conflict, while the empirical case study presented in the paper illustrates dynamics that may be repeated in other contexts. The concepts and case study set out in this paper should prove useful to healthcare providers working in conflict zones, including humanitarian aid agencies and their employees, increasing their understanding of the social and political dynamics that they are likely to face during future conflict‐related complex emergencies.     

Concerns and future preparedness plans of a vulnerable population in New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy

Knowing how people prepare for disasters is essential to developing resiliency strategies. This study examined recalled concerns, evacuation experiences, and the future preparedness plans of a vulnerable population in New Jersey, United States, following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Understanding the responses of minority communities is key to protecting them during forthcoming disasters. Overall, 35 per cent of respondents were not going to prepare for an event. Intended future preparedness actions were unrelated to respondents' ratings of personal impact. More Blacks and Hispanics planned on preparing than Whites (68 versus 55 per cent), and more Hispanics planned on evacuating than did others who were interviewed. A higher percentage of respondents who had trouble getting to health centres were going to prepare than others. Respondents' concerns were connected to safety and survival, protecting family and friends, and having enough food and medicine, whereas future actions included evacuating earlier and buying sufficient supplies to shelter in place.