ABSTRACT
Disasters are milestones in humanity’s life, creating suffering and needs of various kinds. They offer unique opportunities to demonstrate the most caring behaviour when everything lies in ruins; it is perhaps no wonder that humanitarian organisations, born to meet those essential needs, grew as a result of these. Community participation and mobilisation, traditional in a number of National Societies, have proven remarkably useful and efficient when a disaster strikes. Various health related services are provided by Red Cross/Red Crescent volunteers in the immediate aftermath of an accident or a disaster. In disasters, family ties are frequently broken and this results in enormous stress on the family members, adding a psychological and sometimes a physical burden on to the victims. National disaster plans are activated in the case of an accident or disaster of large magnitude, requiring mobilisation of extra resources.
