medical ethics concerns. Finally, a reliable blood supply – integral to the efficient functioning of any hospital – has proven another hurdle in post-disaster Pakistan. Update: Cuba’s Disaster

Response Team in Bolivia In late January, torrential rains in Bolivia caused landslides and flooding, severely affecting several regions, particularly in the east. Over 12,000 families lost their homes and entire towns were cut off due to collapsed and inundated roads as the rain continued unabated. The natural disaster triggered a call for international aid by President Evo Morales to which Cuba responded on February 2nd with a relief effort comprised of 15.7 tons of medicines, 20 field hospitals and 150 volunteers from the Henry Reeve International Team of Medical Specialists in Disasters & Epidemics. The Silver Lining The earthquake hasdeparts (date to be determined), provided they remain in the same locations and continue to function as public health facilities.



Notes & References United Nations Population Fund, December 17, 2005. In the final days of December, for example, the World Food Programme had provisioned 68 tent warehouses with food enough for 45-60 days in regions above 5,000 feet. Furthermore, the new year dawned with heavy snowfall that isolated two Cuban field hospitals for a week and caused the collapse of two dozen tents, according to Cuban officials in Pakistan. Fully 48% of Cuban medical personnel serving in Pakistan is female. Pakistan ranks fourth among low-income nations for number of physicians working in the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia combined, with 12,813 doctors of Pakistani origin practicing in