ABC of conflict and disaster - Public health in the aftermath of disasters

In the aftermath of disasters, public health services must address the effects of civil strife, armed conflict, population migration, economic collapse, and famine. In modern conflicts civilians are targeted deliberately, and affected populations may face severe public health consequences, even without displacement from their homes. For displaced people, damage to health, sanitation, water supplies, housing, and agriculture may lead to a rapid increase in malnutrition and communicable diseases. Fortunately, the provision of adequate clean water and sanitation, timely measles immunisation, simple treatment of dehydration from diarrhoea, supplementary feeding for the malnourished, micronutrient supplements, and the establishment of an adequate public health surveillance system greatly reduces the health risks associated with the harsh environments of refugee camps.