In the last few years the availability of sources and information resources has increased. Websites, databases and information generated at the national and international level have multiplied. The field of health and disasters has been part of this evolution and has...
It provides an access more efficient, faster and easier to the essential subjects on public health and disasters
Washington, D.C. August 20, 2012 (PAHO/WHO) - In the last few years the availability of sources and information resources has increased. Websites, databases and information generated at the national and international level have multiplied. The field of health and disasters has been part of this evolution and has experienced an exponential growth, as far as the production of information is concerned.
In this context, it becomes necessary to have the most relevant and updated information with a much more efficient accessibility. In order to achieve this, the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) through the Area on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief, presents the Knowledge Center in Public Health and Disasters (www.saludydesastres.info).
Providing an open access for all those interested, this online center presents an overview of the most important topics on public health and disasters: general concepts, organization of the health sector and policies, disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, health response in emergencies and disasters, rehabilitation and reconstruction and alliances and international assistance. Currently, the Center is only available in Spanish; the English version is coming soon.
With a simple and friendly navigation system, each section provides the reader with an explanation of all the fundamental aspects of every topic with access—through links—to sources and complementary information resources, as well as the websites of different initiatives and agencies.
Financed by the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, of the U.S. Agency for International Development (OFDA/USAID) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Knowledge Center is organized as a manual or thematic guide containing all the essential concepts on public health and disasters.
More integrated knowledge and access tailored to the user needs
The organization of the Center facilitates more integrated knowledge of every topic and allows the reader to know more about the aspects he/she might be more interested in, while providing efficient, fast and easy access to an array of publications and technical information resources on public health and disasters produced by PAHO/WHO and other organizations.
The website offers direct access—in the Publications and Resources section—to the publications, videos and online training and courses produced by the Area on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief during the last few years. In addition, the reader will be able find a list of the educational offers—courses, both at the graduate and postgraduate level—in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean. Also, by answering a brief questionnaire, the user will be able to have a general idea of his/her knowledge in health and disasters to orientate his/her self-learning as well as the consultation.
This Knowledge Center is the result of an effort orientated to produce information and training resources on public health and disasters. It reaffirms PAHO/WHO's commitment to strengthen the capacities of the countries to reduce disaster risk and to respond in an appropriate way to the health sector needs caused by emergencies.
PAHO, which celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, is the oldest public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and quality of life of the peoples of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization.
Visit the Knowledge Center in Public Health and Disasters
Contacts:
Amaia López, lopezama@paho.org, Tel. +507 317 1587 Ext. 48718, Isabel López, lopezisa@paho.org, Tel. +506 2521 70 45 Ext. 48833. Area on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief. http://www.paho.org/disasters
