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Haiti Disaster Tourism—A Medical Shame

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Daniël J. Van Hoving ,
Lee A. Wallis ,
Fathima Docrat  and
Shaheem De Vries
Daniël J. Van Hoving*
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency Medicine, Stellenbosch University/University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Lee A. Wallis
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency Medicine, Stellenbosch University/University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Fathima Docrat
Affiliation:
Product Physician (Pain and CNS), Pfizer, South Africa
Shaheem De Vries
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency Medicine, Stellenbosch University/University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
*
PO Box 897, Bellville 7535, South Africa E-mail: nvhoving@gmail.com
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Abstract

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The devastating Haiti earthquake rightly resulted in an outpouring of international aid. Relief teams can be of tremendous value during disasters due to natural hazards. Although nobly motivated to help, all emergency interventions have unintended consequences. In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, many selfless individuals committed to help, but was this really all in the name of reaching out a helping hand? This case report illustrates that medical disaster tourism is alive and well.

Keywords

disasterdisaster tourismearthquakeHaiti
Type
Editorial
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , June 2010 , pp. 201 - 202
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2010

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