Citation

Davies K. Br. J. Nurs. 2005; 14(16): 868-871.

Affiliation

School of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan, South Wales.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Mark Allen Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16215509

Abstract

To ensure an efficient and effective response to disaster situations, communities must be prepared at all levels. A disaster presents problems that go beyond the scope of major incident preparedness and requires a response that utilizes all of the available resources that a community may posses, as well as assistance from outside the affected community. In order that the optimum response to a disaster situation is forthcoming, planning must take place that ensures the appropriate response across the service spectrum, including voluntary organizations. The lessons that can be learned from non-governmental organizations in developing world contexts must also be acknowledged and incorporated into the planning process.