Responding to international disasters.

Large-scale disasters attract broad coverage by the media and images of death and destruction circulate worldwide in minutes. This prompts the authorities in disaster-stricken areas to request external medical teams, and well-intentioned countries and aid organisations dispatch them to offer care for the victims (World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) 2004a). This article provides information on disaster management for those with an interest in responding to international disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004.