Guidelines for Response to Earthquakes
One of the unfortunate effects of large-scale disasters is mass casualties; often, first responders don't know what to do with the dead bodies of victims when morgues--if they are even available--fill up. PAHO/WHO has published Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters, a field manual for first responders that presents simple recommendations for non-specialists to manage the recovery, basic identification, storage and disposal of dead bodies following disasters.
PAHO/WHO Regional Emergency Response Team - Field Manual
Guidelines for activating the PAHO/WHO Health Emergency Response Team, including the Team's responsibilities during different phases of the emergency. The complete package includes forms and verification lists to aid in the gathering of information for an evaluation of needs in the health sector.
Information Management and Communication in Emergencies and Disasters
Manual for Disaster Response Teams
This manual focuses on operational aspects of disaster and emergency response as well as preparing for disasters. It addresses plans for communicating with the public during emergencies and techniques for producing, exchanging, and distributing information for humanitarian organizations. Experiences from many emergency situations show that communication is most effective when information management is linked to information exchange and social communication techniques and processes.
Be a Better Donor: Practical Recommendations for Humanitarian Aid
When disaster strikes, the arrival or large quantities of donations presents enormous organizational and managerial challenges for authorities and humanitarian actors. PAHO/WHO and other partners have published a guide on how to be a good humanitarian donor.
