Statement from the Faculty of Public Health on the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunamis
Urgent need for public health action
The earthquake and subsequent tsunamis around the Indian Ocean are thought to have killed and injured well over a hundred thousand people - the BBC have put the death toll at almost 150,000 - and left millions homeless and displaced in coastal areas of Asia. India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka are the worst affected areas. However, the impact of the tsunamis has affected countries as widespread as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, and in Africa, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania .
There is a critical need for immediate public health action to support the survivors. Millions of people are now under serious threat of disease outbreaks as a result of damaged water and sanitation systems and sea water contamination. The damage to the health service and public health infrastructure is extensive and the catastrophe will have an impact on population health for decades to come.
International response
The response to the disaster is unprecedented. In the UK, resources have been mobilised from the voluntary sector principally through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The Government has pledged £50m in relief aid and the Department for International Development (DFID), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the UK Departments of Health, the Health Protection Agency and Ministry of Defence are all providing support.
The bulk of the relief work in the affected countries is being carried out by local personnel but the United Nations (UN) and WHO have stressed that public health support will be needed long after the news focus has moved on. As the UN, aid agencies and donors continue to report back, the continuing needs of the communities devastated by the tsunamis will become clearer.
UK public health response
What, then, should be the response from the UK public health community? Highly qualified and experienced humanitarian specialists, particularly those with experience in the region are already on site. In addition, the NHS, the UK Departments of Health an d the Health Protection Agency (HPA), along with voluntary organisations are meeting the specific health needs of UK residents returning from affected areas.
Faculty of Public Health response
The Faculty extends condolences to all those affected by the tragic events of Boxing Day and would like to express support for everyone working in public health in the affected countries. The Faculty will work with relevant UK organisations to provide whatever appropriate support it can.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is currently coordinating a specific response to a request from the WHO (Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network) to identify skilled UK personnel to second to the field. However it cannot co-ordinate ad hoc offers of help. Individuals who have the necessary skills and experience can get in touch with aid agencies directly: the DFID web site lists those participating in the DEC appeal. Public health professionals can also register on the Red-R/International Health Exchange database.
The Faculty will support the HPA in its work and use its extensive networks to reach appropriate individuals and exchange information. Members in the affected countries have already been contacted with the offer of appropriate support in the short and longer term. The Faculty's International Committee will keep abreast of developments and keep Members updated via the website. Specific ideas should be sent to the International Committee for consideration at the next meeting.
Further information
The UN News Centre Web page provides regularly updated situation reports and press releases from UN agencies that are coordinating the response, including WHO, UNICEF an d the Office for the Coordination for Hum an itari an Affairs (OCHA). Donors such as DFID and USAID are also publishing reports on their web pages. The former's situation reports are especially recommended.
Relevant websites
Department for International Development
Health Protection Agency (Advice on infection for those coming back to the UK)
US Agency for International Development
