Environmental Health in Emergencies and Disasters

Mexico, 1/1/1985. WHO/Photo by PAHO

Emergencies and disasters can occur anywhere in the world, affecting human health, people’s lives and the infrastructure built to support them. Environmental health problems arising from emergencies and disasters are connected to their effects on the physical, biological and social environment that pose a threat to human health, well-being and survival: shelter, water, sanitation, disease vectors, pollution, etc.

WHO’s work concerns not only effective response to emergencies derived from disasters but also reducing the vulnerability of communities to hazards and increasing their ability to withstand disruption and to recover rapidly.

Documents available:

- Environmental health in emergencies and disasters: a practical guide

SEE ALSO

- WHO site on Emergency and Humanitarian Action