Nutrition in Times of Disaster. Report of an International Conference Held at the World Health Organization Headquarters, Geneva, September 27-30, 1988

摘要

Although emergency food assistance in disaster situations has been largely successful in preventing starvation, there remain several shortcomings in the international response to famine and other food emergencies. Proceedings are here summarized of an international conference on the subject. Preparedness for and response to emergencies is a political process requiring close coordination and political will among official parties. Assessment and monitoring should utilize existing data as much as possible, include socioeconomic as well as biological data, and be performed by a national organization with the authority to coordinate initial responses. Emergency rations should be nutritionally adequate and culturally acceptable. Food rations should ensure long-term maintenance, not just survival. Coordination, preferably with the recipient government leading the way, is the key to solving the logistics and distribution problems that often thwart food relief. The transition from relief efforts to rehabilitation and development activities should begin early to promote recovery and long-term self-sufficiency.