ABSTRACT
This chapter devotes to the medical and sanitary consequences of disaster, including the direct effects of death and injury and the indirect effects associated with disruption of public hygiene and consequent risks of disease transmission. Disaster epidemiology is the study of the occurrence and rates of death, injury and disease in populations affected by natural or man-made disaster. In many parts of the world there is a major difference in medical capabilities between neighbouring countries. Hence, small international journeys of medical equipment and personnel can sometimes contribute greatly to making the response adequate. The phases of the medical emergency caused by a natural disaster follow the more general civil and logistical crisis. The emergency-isolation phase will be characterized by community self-help as the only form of relief. The rehabilitation phase will involve several typical activities, such as encouraging medical officials to return to hospitals, rehousing damaged clinics/parts of hospitals under temporary shelter and sorting out newly arrived medical supplies.
