Tackling the global challenge: humanitarian catastrophes.

TitleTackling the global challenge: humanitarian catastrophes.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsIserson KV
JournalWest J Emerg Med
Volume15
Issue2
Pagination231-40
Date Published2014 Mar
ISSN Number1936-9018
Abstract

"Humanitarian catastrophes," conflicts and calamities generating both widespread human suffering and destructive events, require a wide range of emergency resources. This paper answers a number of questions that humanitarian catastrophes generate: Why and how do the most-developed countries-those with the resources, capabilities, and willingness to help-intervene in specific types of disasters? What ethical and legal guidelines shape our interventions? How well do we achieve our goals? It then suggests a number of changes to improve humanitarian responses, including better NGO-government cooperation, increased research on the best disaster response methods, clarification of the criteria and roles for humanitarian (military) interventions, and development of post-2015 Millennium Development Goals with more accurate progress measures.

DOI10.5811/westjem.2013.12.20125
Alternate JournalWest J Emerg Med
PubMed ID24672618
PubMed Central IDPMC3966462
Faculty Reference: 
Kenneth V. Iserson, MD, MBA, FACEP