[Epidemiological surveillance during humanitarian emergencies].

Humanitarian emergencies are complex situations that usually occur after warfare or social upheavals. They result in a dramatic increase in morbidity and mortality in the affected population. Organizations that undertake management of humanitarian emergencies must be prepared to provide comprehensive services covering all aspects of public health including preliminary evaluation, mass vaccination, water and sanitation, food supply and nutrition, shelter, medical care, control of communicable diseases, personnel training, and logistic coordination. Epidemiological surveillance is an integral part of a full-service approach to humanitarian action that should be included in the preliminary evaluation. Epidemiology is a powerful tool for detecting any health problems that might further jeopardize the victim population. By allowing measurement of the impact of humanitarian action, epidemiological data also provides a means of verifying that the victims are benefiting from aid operations. Implementation of a surveillance system should be given high priority during the start-up of a humanitarian operation. The system must have the simplicity and flexibility necessary to adapt changing, unstable situations as well as high sensitivity necessary for early detection of epidemic outbreaks.