Table 2.

Drought risk management by the health sector in Brazil.

Risk reduction stage
PREVENTION	On-going community and local government involvement, information and communication
	Promote educational measures and community actions for water conservation and measures to promote good nutrition
	Promote sustainable practices of water use and reuse
	On-going monitoring of water and food-borne diseases and selected non-communicable diseases in the communities at risk
	Follow-up the epidemiological profile of the community to identify adverse changes
	Promote capacity building of local health agents
MITIGATION	Work with local stakeholders to identify and reduce vulnerabilities and existing risks in the community
	Work with the local communities to develop measures aimed at minimizing risks and health impacts
	Promote health sector participation in public policy programs for water resource infrastructure
	Participate in inter-sectorial efforts to address drought impacts (e.g., with climate services to anticipate drought events)
PREPARATION	Assess the internal response capacity; identify local resources; and establish intra and inter-sectorial partnerships for action
	Participate in risk assessments, mapping, scenarios, to determine the severity of the problem from a health preparation perspective and to determine priority actions
	Implement the “Operative Committee of Health Emergencies*”, and establish the action plan.
	Work with community leaders and local government to inform and create awareness in the community
Disaster management stage
ALERT	Issue alert following pre-planned actions and monitor its implementation
	Activate the “Operative Committee of Health Emergencies” and notify the event
	Actively identify families or groups without conditions to confront the situation alone
	Activate human and financial resources
RESPONSE	Provide for the health needs to the affected persons
	Intensify epidemiological, environmental and sanitary surveillance
	Monitor morbidity and mortality of direct and indirect impacts of drought
	Ongoing assessment of the response to determine future action
Recovery and adaptation stage
REHABILITATION	Activate mechanisms to ensure the continuation of basic services, essential to the functioning of health facilities (e.g., water, energy)
	Activate specialized health care (e.g., for early identification and management of outbreaks)
	Activate psychosocial health care for the community and workers involved in the process
	Implement a comprehensive evaluation of vulnerabilities, risks, impacts and resilience to develop adaptation options for future events
* Operative Committee of Health Emergencies: A team formed by local stakeholders to organize and conduct risk management actions.