Is registration of foreign medical teams needed for disaster response? Findings from the response to Typhoon Haiyan

Authors

  • Sasha Peiris Office of the WHO Representative in the Philippines, Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines
  • Joel Buenaventura Bureau of International Health Cooperation, Department of Health, Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines
  • Nevio Zagaria Disaster Response and Management, Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2015.6.2.HYN_014

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the new Global Health Cluster (GHC) registration form for Foreign Medical Teams (FMT) during the response to Typhoon Haiyan.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted on the deployment of FMT to the Typhoon Haiyan affected areas in the Philippines from 8 November 2013 to 30 June 2014. We analyzed information provided on the FMT registration form, from weekly monitoring forms and exit reports.

Results: 150 FMT were deployed in response to Haiyan. More than half were registered at the national level including all known Type 2 and Type 3 FMT.  Two thirds of those registered provided the composition of their teams, submitted weekly and/or exit reports.  From the registered FMT, Type 2 had the shortest period from their arrival in country to being operational.

Conclusions: In the response to Typhoon Haiyan registration of FMT proved valuable both for the affected country and the teams themselves. To ensure a well-coordinated international humanitarian response in sudden onset disasters and outbreaks in the future, we recommend the development of a FMT Regional Registration Platform. This could greatly improve coordination and quality of the response.

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Published

06-11-2015

How to Cite

1.
Peiris S, Buenaventura J, Zagaria N. Is registration of foreign medical teams needed for disaster response? Findings from the response to Typhoon Haiyan. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2015 Nov. 6 [cited 2026 Apr. 10];6(5). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/366

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 5 (2015): Suppl 1 Responding to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines

Section

Brief Report

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