Haiti disaster tourism--a medical shame.
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.
Van Hoving
Daniël J
DJ
Wallis
Lee A
LA
Docrat
Fathima
F
De Vries
Shaheem
S
D000533:Altruism; D054597:Disaster Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006205:Haiti; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008402:Mass Media; D009042:Motivation; D012066:Relief Work / Q000458:organization & administration*