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Archive for May, 2009

Inherent within disaster management is developing response, and an essential element of response is contingency planning.   Generally, contingency planning is defined as “an anticipatory emergency preparation to be followed in an anticipated or eventual disaster, based on risk assessment, availability of human and material resources, community preparedness, local and international response capability, etc”.   That definition sets the framework as we put on our thinking hats on.   As we brace ourselves for the oncoming monsoon rains and the potential for floods again, the question at the back of our minds will be – how do we set up for the worst? Jointly and severally, all the stakeholders involved with disaster management need to come up with a contingency plan on how to deal with and minimize the risks of these natural disasters to lives  and properties. 

Contingency planning sessions could construct mitigating measures to control damage on development through such natural calamities.  Lessons learned in preceding disaster response operations could provide the basic guidelines in ensuring present contingency plans are on the desirable track.  Following completion of  the contingency plan, as soon as disaster strikes, the event triggers operationalisation of the contingency plan itself which has been formulated with agreed upon common strategy. (i)   Over the years, there has been a paradigm shift in disaster management from disaster response to disaster risk reduction, reflected in the proactive action prior to the arrival of the calamity.  In developing contingency plans, worst case scenarios are worked on to meet needs for planning ahead for calamity risk reduction.

Red Cross and Red Crescent societies through their mandate and humanitarian assistance principles are periodically drawn into managing severe emergencies including natural disasters. In ensuring organizational readiness and that adequate arrangements are made in anticipation of an emergency, the common management tool comprise response and contingency planning. Well thought out planning could greatly assist in ensuring rapid and effective delivery of resource needs of whatever disasters wherever that may be.

 

In order to realize a satisfactory level of preparedness for timely and effective response to a natural disaster, disaster response plan entails identifying disaster risks, vulnerabilities, impact, organizational resources and capacities.  It further involves determining roles and responsibilities, and formulating policies and procedures and planning activities.  This is at the broader perspective and it allows identifying gaps and needs.  Contingency planning focus more on addressing the responses and actions geared for specific disaster scenarios. (ii)  

 

Since contingency planning deals with individual specific events which are known risks at the local, national or regional levels, formulation necessitate the involvement of stakeholders at the associated levels.  Contingency plans mesh well with operations management in terms of handling anticipated resource requirements, available resources, and shortfalls or gaps.

 

With extreme weather disasters becoming the emerging feature this decade, and the horrific experience of Typhoon Morakot (Philippines, Taiwan) and the Istanbul flash floods still fresh in our minds, any flood risks alert should not be taken with a pinch of salt. Preparedness warrants that expecting the worst i.E. Flood prone areas expected to have higher that normal risk of flooding in different places and at greater magnitude than previous experience.  Scenarios developed for the possible natural disaster will indicate the potential impact of such event.  Flooding, for instance, often destroys houses and other properties resulting in the displacement of the flood affected population.  Hence contingency planning could anticipate both food and non-food relief provision to alleviate human suffering resulting from the displacements.  Those displaced suffer loss of household belongings and assets to the floods.  Contingency plans look into emergency shelter requirements with the objective of protecting those affected from avoidable risks and vulnerabilities from the elements.(iv)

References:

(i) PDCC Kalinga approves disaster contingency plan. 12 Jun 2009.  Philippine Information Agency (PIA)

(ii) International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies. Contingency Planning & Disaster Response Planning.

(iii) Flood Contingency Plan for 2007 Main Rainy Season in Ethiopia.  August 2007. Addis Ababa.

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If you’re over 40 and have rectal bleeding, don’t assume it’s just a case of hemorrhoids. In the presence of other symptoms – such as a change in bowel habits, abdominal cramps or pain, unexplained anemia or weight loss – you could be suffering from colon cancer.

Colon, colorectal, or bowel cancer are the terms used to describe cancer which strikes the colon, rectum, or  both. These account for about 20 percent of deaths in the United States. Over a hundred thousand Americans have the disease and almost 50,000 die from it yearly.

What are your chances of developing colon cancer? The risk greatly increases after the age of 50, more so if you have a family history of the disease or a history of colon polyps or ulcerative colitis. A high-fat diet and lack of fiber has also been implicated in the disease.

“Although the precise cause of colon cancer is unknown, some studies suggest that diet plays an important role. It has been suggested that the higher proportion of animal fat in our diet may account for the large amount of colorectal cancer in the United States compared with countries such as Japan where the dietary emphasis is on vegetables, poultry and fish,” according to Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the “Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.”

Except in those with no symptoms, colon cancer sends out warning signals which should be brought to a doctor’s attention. These include a change in the size and shape of the stool and rectal bleeding.

Sadly, these signals are often ignored or mistaken for something else. This was revealed by Drs. Adriano V. Laudico, Divina B. Esteban, Corazon A. Ngelangel, and Lilia M. Reyes in the “Cancer Facts and Estimates.”

“The mistaken obsession of our physicians with amebiasis and other forms of inflammatory bowel diseases had for decades been a major factor that had delayed diagnosis of colon cancer. The wider availability of antidiarrheals, antibiotics, and amoebecides may have worsened the situation. Too many physicians still insist on giving vitamin preparations and hematinics for chronic unexplained weight loss and anemia,” they said.

What should you do then? If you experience any of the above symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. A rectal examination will confirm the presence of suspicious lesions in the lower part of the rectum. This should be done yearly in people over 40. (Next: Screening procedures for colon cancer.)

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