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Measuring Humanitarian Emergencies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2013

Abstract

The ability to monitor assistance, define humanitarian needs, and approach equity in the distribution of assistance has lagged behind the world’s growing commitment to responding to humanitarian emergencies. This article highlights relevant data sources to elucidate elements of an operational definition of humanitarian need. New and refined measures are proposed to assist in assessing the level of need among affected populations. An original measure that combines data on conflict and disasters to summarize the cumulative magnitude of 4 types of humanitarian threats is presented. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1:110–116)

Type
Original Research and Critical Analysis
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2007

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