IRRC No. 284
Strategy for medical assistance in disaster situations
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Abstract
Disasters create specific problems shaped by both the type of event (earthquake, volcanic eruption, war) and its consequences (sudden or gradual impact on the victims).The process that unleashes a disaster is often more complex than appears at first glance. For example, drought is obviously caused by poor climatic conditions, but it may also be precipitated by human behaviour detrimental to the environment.While internal conflicts do not always have a direct and major impact on civilians beyond the casualties they claim, the breakdown of local services, particularly medical care and food supply, may have dire effects on health and nutrition, so that the entire civilian population falls victim to the situation.