Myths and Realities of Disasters

C. de Ville de Goyet, from The Role of WHO in Disaster Management: Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1991.

The Pan American Health Organization has identified many myths and erroneous beliefs that are widely associated with the public health impact of disasters; all disaster planners and managers should be familiar with them. These include the following:

Myth #1: Foreign medical volunteers with any kind of medical background are needed.

Reality: The local population almost always covers immediate lifesaving needs. Only medical personnel with skills that are not available in the affected country may be needed.

Myth #2: Any kind of international assistance is needed, and it is needed now!

Reality: A hasty response that is not based on an impartial evaluation only contributes to the chaos. It is better to wait until genuine needs have been assessed. As a matter of fact, most needs are met by the victims themselves and their local government and agencies, not by foreign intervenors.

Myth #3: Epidemics and plagues are inevitable after every disaster.

Reality: Epidemics do not spontaneously occur after a disaster, and dead bodies will not lead to catastrophic outbreaks of exotic diseases. The key to preventing disease is to improve sanitary conditions and educate the public.

Myth #4: Disasters bring out the worst in human behavior (e.g., looting, rioting).

Reality: Although isolated cases of antisocial behavior exist, most people respond spontaneously and generously.

Myth #5: The affected population is too shocked and helpless to take responsibility for its own survival.

Reality: On the contrary, many people find new strength during an emergency, as evidenced by the thousands of volunteers who spontaneously united to sift through the rubble in search of victims after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake.

Myth #6: Disasters are random killers.

Reality: Disasters strike hardest at the most vulnerable group—the poor, and especially women, children, and the elderly.

Myth #7: Locating disaster victims in temporary settlements is the best alternative.

Reality: It should be the last alternative. Many agencies use funds normally spent for tents to purchase building materials, tools, and other construction-related support in the affected country.

Myth #8: Food aid is always required for natural disasters.

Reality: Natural disasters only rarely cause loss of crops. Therefore, victims do not require massive food aid.

Myth #9: Clothing is always needed by the victims of a disaster.

Reality: Used clothing is almost never needed; it is almost always culturally inappropriate, and though accepted by disaster victims, it is almost never worn.

Myth #10: Things are back to normal within a few weeks.

Reality: The effects of a disaster last a long time. Disaster-affected countries deplete much of their financial and material resources in the immediate postimpact phase. Successful relief programs gear their operations to the fact that international interest wanes as needs and shortages become more pressing.