Virtual Health Library for Disasters

English, Spanish and French

An electronic collection of more than 500 public health publications on disaster reduction and complex emergencies in full text.

WHO-PAHO Guidelines for the Use of Foreign Field Hospitals in the Aftermath of Sudden-Impact Disasters

Experience has shown that in the case of natural disasters field hospitals often have not met the expectations of recipients and donor institutions. These guidelines identify different phases when foreign field hospitals and specialized medical personnel are most useful. They propose conditions that field hospitals and their staff should meet and outline issues that authorities in donor countries and disaster-affected countries should discuss before mobilizing a field hospital.

Myths and Realities of Natural Disasters

Myths surrounding natural disasters have existed for centuries. These programs present some of the popularly-held beliefs in the context natural disasters that occurred in the Americas, and examines the importance of overcoming these myths in light of what really has happened.