Honduras Disaster Relief Operation of Japan Self-Defense Forces in November 1998

Abstract

Objective: Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) provided basic healthcare (BHC) activities with an emergency response unit (ERU) during the disaster relief of the western Indian earthquake on 26 January 2001. This was the first deployment of ERU operation and was the initial medical activity provided by the JRCS. Method: The JRCS ERU team (4 doctors, 4 nurses and 4 coordinators) arrived in Bhuj near the epicenter on 30 January. The next day, a field assessment was performed, and an ERU was establish at 7 km from Bhuj. The ERU consisted of tents and medical equipment with a gross weight 8 tons. Medical activities were continued from 01 to 16 February, including collecting medical records, and the analysis of the data for feedback for the next phase. Results: A total of 1,611 patients were treated during 16 days. The number of patients increased from 51 to 150 per day within a week. Twenty percent of patients were children. The ratio of earthquake-related patients was 80% in the initial phase, and gradually decreased to 10%. The information collected was provided to Tokyo to help to prepare the following team, which took measures to utilize local resources, like cooperating with Indian physicians. In the later phase, though most of patients suffered internal diseases, outbreaks of acute respiratory infection and diarrhea were not observed. Conclusion: As the variety of diseases change in post-disaster phases, it must provide appropriate disaster relief that must be adjusted to the situation.