Valparaíso, Chile, February 15, 2024 (PAHO) – Since devastating fires first affected the Chilean region of Valparaíso, teams from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have been working with the country’s authorities to support the terrain mental health, vaccination, sanitation and risks. communication initiatives.
When the forest fires began, Chile’s Minister of Health, Ximena Aguilera, declared a health emergency in the affected territory to facilitate a faster response to the health needs and requirements of the affected communities.
According to official data, the fires caused more than 130 deaths and approximately 1,250 injuries, and more than 5,000 people and 1,500 homes were affected in the Valparaíso region.
The Undersecretary of Assistance Networks, Osvaldo Salgado, thanked PAHO for its support in the emergency response and highlighted that the organization’s presence in the disaster area provides a «valuable opportunity» to learn from its experience.
Mental health actions
For Chilean health authorities, mental health support is crucial to meet the demands of communities affected by the disaster. Therefore, the country has strengthened psychosocial support teams and sent mental health professionals to Valparaíso and Quilpué. Professionals can be easily identified by their green T-shirts with the slogan «Building Better Health.»
«In the Valparaíso region we have international support from PAHO, as well as mental health teams from the Arica, Coquimbo and Metropolitan regions,» said Andrea Albagli, Undersecretary of Public Health of Chile. «There are various ways that mental health issues can manifest, which is why we are all here, committed to addressing this phenomenon and providing an answer to the people we know are suffering right now.»
PAHO Mental Health Consultant, Débora Noal, who works with the national and regional health authorities of the affected region, highlighted the work of local and national health teams to confront the emergency.
While «this country’s ability to respond is impressive,» external support is crucial to ensure diverse perspectives and resources, he added.
Emergency medical equipment in the field.
The teams formed in Chile under the PAHO/WHO Emergency Medical Team (EMT) strategy met with national, local and international health authorities to address the main health needs and challenges in the field.
For the PAHO/WHO Incident Commander in Chile, Eduardo Ortiz, the support of the Organization «reaffirms the importance of timely, innovative and agile cooperation in emergencies.»
The Organization’s support included the delivery of about 50 backpacks with basic first aid equipment by the PAHO/WHO Representative in Chile, Fernando Leanes, to the Ministry of Health, with the aim of reinforcing the work of the EMTs. «While Ministry of Health teams are well prepared to provide a rapid and effective response to these types of disasters, collaboration with the PAHO Emergency team helps strengthen the sector’s capacity to recover through agile support. and comprehensive,» he stated.
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