BMJ  2005;330:261 (29 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7485.261-a

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The tsunami and the dangers of goodwill

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Following the tsunami in South Asia, there was, as would be expected, the rushing to the scene of a multitude of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), United Nations organisations, and other actors providing emergency relief. There was also a remarkable outpouring of public charity with massive funds being raised for the victims of the disaster. Many volunteers from abroad have independently inundated the afflicted areas. Although notable and well meaning, the public "goodwill" is not without its drawbacks.

In Sri Lanka, where I was dispatched with a relief agency, we found several issues for concern. Firstly, there were numerous foreign volunteer doctors operating makeshift clinics in the camps for the survivors. However well intended, the unregulated and uncoordinated activities of these health practitioners may serve to undermine rather than support the existing health systems in the affected countries. Several of the camps we surveyed received irregular and unpredictable visits by these . . . [Full text of this article]

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London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine andrewlee@doctors.org.uk

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• Kua, H., Iskandar, Y. (2005). Tsunami psychiatry. Psychiatr. Bull. 29: 346-347 [Full text]  

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