Establishment of a post-disaster healthcare information booklet for the Turkey–Syrian earthquake, based on past disasters

Abstract

The scientific evidence based on experiences with past disasters points to the possibility of the occurrence of future mental health issues among those who were affected by the recent Turkey–Syria earthquake. However, post-disaster care information on factors that could give rise to mental health issues among those affected have yet to be provided. In March 2011, Tohoku University compiled and published a booklet with post-disaster healthcare information based on the experiences with the Great East Japan Earthquake. This study aimed to promote the introduction and use of this booklet for post-disaster care in Turkey and Syria by presenting the results of a satisfaction survey conducted with relevant Japanese organizations about the booklet. A total of 505 Japanese organizations participated in the satisfaction survey of, and evaluated, the booklet. The results indicated the need to consider the ease of understanding for the general public when providing information on post-disaster care through booklets. We hope that this study leads to the appropriate provision of easy-to-understand, post-disaster healthcare information to the victims of the Turkey–Syria earthquake and future disasters.

Initial response to the 2024 Noto earthquake by the university hospital closest to the disaster area

“…Despite these limitations, because the university hospital is closest to the disaster area, we received many patients with various conditions. By clarifying the trends in the medical situation and what we have experienced as a hospital, we hope to apply this knowledge to future disaster medical care, as large-scale disasters, such as earthquakes, occur not only in Japan [15][16][17] but around the world 9,18,19 .…”

Linking affected community and academic knowledge: community-based research for the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

“…The research cluster is composed of eight institutions: the Graduate School of Arts and Letters; Graduate School of Natural Science; Graduate School of Environmental Science; Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer; International; Research Institute of Disaster Science; Center for Northeast Asian Studies; and the Hospital and School of Medicine [21]. The research cluster has two overall purposes: (1) to develop and systematize disaster science and (2) to contribute to support for recovery, reconstruction, and building back better in affected areas; disaster risk reduction and mitigation; and the development of human resources in international societies [22].…”