Different modes of disaster management in response to the tsunami in Southeast Asia

Dagan Schwartz, MD; Major Adi Leiba, MD; Colonel Issac Ashkenasi, MD, MPA, MSc; Captain Guy Nakash, MD; Major Rami Pelts, MA; Colonel (res) Avishay Goldberg, PhD; Brigadier General Yeheskel Levi, MD; Colonel Yaron Bar-Dayan, MD, MHA

doi:10.5055/jem.2006.0019

Authors

Dagan Schwartz, MD
Major Adi Leiba, MD
Colonel Issac Ashkenasi, MD, MPA, MSc
Captain Guy Nakash, MD
Major Rami Pelts, MA
Colonel (res) Avishay Goldberg, PhD
Brigadier General Yeheskel Levi, MD
Colonel Yaron Bar-Dayan, MD, MHA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2006.0019

Keywords:

tsunami, geophysical properties, modes of response

Abstract

The tsunami of December 26, 2004, can be described as one of the worst disasters medical systems have ever had to face. This paper will describe the geophysical properties of tsunamis and their disastrous impact on human beings and infrastructure. Finally, we will present three different modes of response to the tsunami that were present in different provinces in Thailand. These three modes represent different strategies of disaster management, and analyzing each will help to begin understanding how best to respond to the next large-scale natural disaster.

Author Biographies

Dagan Schwartz, MD

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Major Adi Leiba, MD

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva; IDF Home Front Command, Israel.

Colonel Issac Ashkenasi, MD, MPA, MSc

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva; Medical Services and Supply Center, IDF Medical Corps; IDF Medical Corps, Surgeon General Headquarters, Israel.

Captain Guy Nakash, MD

IDF Home Front Command, Israel.

Major Rami Pelts, MA

IDF Home Front Command, Israel.

Colonel (res) Avishay Goldberg, PhD

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Brigadier General Yeheskel Levi, MD

IDF Medical Corps, Surgeon General Headquarters, Israel.

Colonel Yaron Bar-Dayan, MD, MHA

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva; IDF Home Front Command, Israel.

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