Part III suggests a number of activities that the community and local health personnel can undertake in order to be ready to deal with disaster situations. The national disaster plan, if one exists, will also define the tasks of the communities and the local health personnel. In this case the activities are indicated in the plan.

If a community needs assistance to carry out disaster-preparedness activities, it may contact:

· the Government (the ministry responsible for civil protection),

· international cooperation agencies (through the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation),

· the WHO office in the country concerned.

Figure