(English captions by Trisha Paul, University of Michigan.)
Introduction to the disaster management training.
For some background, Universities in the Eastern Africa Region have come together to implement
an initiative Health Emergency Management Program (HEMP) that will build the capacity
of local governments in the region to manage and plan for response to major disasters of
public health importance.
The Eastern African Region is prone to many natural and technological disasters of different
kinds.
There is not one nation in the region that is not vulnerable to the devastating effects
of these disasters.
Many of these disasters have a public health significance either directly in the case of
epidemics of infectious diseases, or indirectly as a result of the breakdown of infrastructure
associated with these disasters.
The purpose of this initiative therefore is to increase the capacity of districts to plan
for response, mitigation and preparedness for disasters, so as to reduce human suffering,
morbidity and mortality that often arise from such incidents
What is the goal of this training? The goal of this training is to strengthen capacity
for public health disaster planning and management at district level.
The specific objectives of this training are: To create awareness about public health emergencies,
to develop district disaster response management plans for common emergencies and disasters
at district level, and to build capacity for district officials to train lower levels in
disaster response management
What is our key output?
To produce a district level disaster response plan.
How will we get there?
Day 1: We shall have a consensus on terms and concepts of disasters and how disasters
affect the districts
Day 2: We shall discuss some common hazards in our region and districts
Day 3: We shall look at some policies and standards for disaster management
Day 4 and 5: We shall work in groups to produce a District Disaster Management plan
Day 6: Presentation of the district plans
Thanks.