Responding to disasters [in the zone] Prof Bruce Robinson Uni of Western Australia International Skills & Training Institute in Health - ISTIH
The problem
Aceh etc 2004
Nias 2005 Pakistan 2005
China 2008 Jogjakarta 2006
Sumatra 2009
Bali 2005 Jakarta 2009
disasters - killed 235,816 people - affected 211 million others - cost a $US181 billion
Most of these disasters are occuring in this zone
Disasters 80% of the world's worst natural disasters of the 20th and 21st centuries [earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, typhoons] occured in this region. CBS “Opportunity to help & the moral obligation to do so”
Effects of disasters Death Disasters killed 750,000 people in southeast Asia in last 10 years
Injury Diseases Displacement Economic loss Psychological Other effects of disasters Most of the victims of disasters are the survivors
Who can respond to a disaster? Local = immediate but limited emergency and disaster response skills National - impossible to begin work before 48 hours International - uncertain, not always appropriate, delayed by days to weeks
What are we doing to improve this situation?
Solution #1. Improved international response
$52 million rapid deployment of Australian civilians health services electricity and water administration
Solution #2. Improved local response
Local response first 2 days post-disaster = critical window - trauma - wound/fracture infections - inhaled tsunami water etc depends upon the capacity of the local services good local emergency skills provides daily benefit (& practice!)
Practice and serve day-to-day (eg. motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies etc). - Jakarta = >2000 deaths pa. from motor vehicle accidents % delayed i.e. potentially preventable
Additional advantages of developing a strong local response better links with police, fire, military local pride and dignity sustainable programs (‘owned’) local customs understood
Where are we at now?
UWA, Curtin Uni, Health Dept Chair – Prof M Henderson - ‘train the trainer’ NB. not just in emergency/disasters - team of experienced experts from WA and other parts of Australia - international partnerships eg. University of Indonesia + others International Skills and Training Institute in Health.
Ausaid contracts in Emergency Medicine and Disaster Preparedness [Banda Aceh, Darwin and Perth] Locations of ISTIH exec activities
Who can respond? Local = immediate but limited skills National - impossible to begin work before 48 hours International - uncertain, not always appropriate, delayed by days to weeks
Goal – to develop the emergency response capabilities of local agencies. Strategy develop Emergency/Disaster Skills Training Centres aimed at trainers - partnership with local agencies - latest approaches - simulation/ computing - educational/technological
Repeated visits necessary. - training - reinforcement - relationships Being ‘in the zone’ makes this easier.
- 118 Foundation - Indonesian College of Surgeons - NGOs RSCM FKUI + team, CTEC = Skills Centre
We have - Experienced teams - University support - Some equipment eg. from the Indonesian govt - Relationships in 7 countries in the region - Long term commitment
We need Funding - $500k pa for 5 years (eg. 5 x$100k pa. over 5 years) - Training programs - Software development - Some equipment Make it core business! What might you be able to do to help?
Thank you Why?