Latin America & Caribbean Chapter

Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAC) is one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions in the world exposed to natural hazards such as hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, wildfires, mudslides, and floods. The frequency and intensity of many of these hazards are worsened by the impacts of climate change. The region also faces ongoing humanitarian crises from large migrations of people from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and several countries in Central America. High levels of economic inequality and poverty and underdeveloped health systems exacerbate these challenges.

The LATAC Chapter of WADEM was founded to promote collaboration and integration among regional scientists and health professionals around research and education in the fields of disaster and emergency medicine and thus contribute to the improvement of its standards of practice in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Watch the Recent LATAC Chapter Webinars

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Webinar Date: 6 March 2024

Disaster Medicine in Today’s Environment of Escalating Hazards

This presentation examines Caribbean-specific hazards, vulnerabilities, and challenges. Incorporating readiness into disaster planning for the region and how that is best accomplished in small island nations where geographic constraints require more local capacity building will be explored. A discussion follows the presentation.

Presentation Slides – Dr. Donahue

Presentation Slides – Prof. Ciottone

LATAC Chapter Leadership

Amado Alejandro Báez, MD, MPH, PhD, FACEP, FCCM, FAEMS

Co-Chair

Professor of Emergency Medicine and Epidemiology; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University

Darren Dookeeram, MBBS, DM, MBA, MRCPS, MA, FRSPH, CHPM

Co-Chair

Specialist Emergency Physician, Sangre Grande Hospital

Lecturer; School of Pharmacy, University of the West Indies

Objectives

Increase membership and promotion of WADEM´s goals across Latin America and the Caribbean;
Promote a paradigm shift from “response” to integral emergency risk management;
Encourage a culture of disaster and emergency preparedness in the region;
Enhance regional development of knowledge, capacities and motivation for disaster risk reduction;
Adapt and implement international standards in the practice of disaster and emergency medicine in the region and contribute with findings and lessons learned in the process; and
Establish a community of practice for discussion, communication and exchange of information among regional members about disasters and related subjects.

Goals

Research on key topics that are of common concern for the region;
Highlight government decisions that are key for emergency risk management through the members at the local level and through partners at an international level;
Promote joint training activities and sharing of expertise and good practices; and
To increase the availability of worldwide disaster risk literature to local populations and promote its adaptation and application.