Disasters and emergencies include damage to physical resources, infrastructure and population that generate or exacerbate social and institutional crises.

Disasters are not random events of nature, but can be considered as the result of a lack of awareness about the society-nature relationship; as a consequence, territorial security, social welfare, environmental sustainability are put at risk and serious effects on the health of the population are presented.

In a disaster or emergency situation, special attention is paid to the population that has been injured, temporary accommodation is guaranteed and food support is usually provided, but there are additional factors, determinants of the health of the population, which must be addressed as a priority to ensure their well-being.

Providing psychosocial support, guaranteeing the supply of drinking water, carrying out an adequate disposal of excreta and a correct management of solid waste, as well as carrying out effective vector control, allows to attend to possible situations that affect people’s health.