Managing Bodies After the South Asian Tsunami
Author Information
Author(s): Morgan Oliver W, Sribanditmongkol Pongruk, Perera Clifford, Sulasmi Yeddi, Van Alphen Dana, Sondorp Egbert
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
How were the bodies of those killed in the tsunami managed in Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka?
Conclusion
Emergency response should ensure that the dead are treated with dignity and respect, and guidelines for mass fatality management are needed.
Supporting Evidence
- No country had sufficient refrigerated storage for bodies after the tsunami.
- Identification methods varied widely, with many bodies buried without identification.
- The health impact of dead bodies on survivors was negligible, with no epidemics reported.
Takeaway
After the tsunami, many bodies were not handled well, and we need better plans for the future to treat the dead with respect.
Methodology
Three descriptive case studies were conducted to document body management in Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, using participant observations and interviews.
Potential Biases
Political sensitivity around the management of dead bodies may have led to incomplete data collection.
Limitations
The study faced challenges in obtaining data due to the chaotic nature of disaster response and the high turnover of staff in relief agencies.
Participant Demographics
Key informants included individuals from voluntary organizations, ministries of health, military, WHO, police, and hospital staff.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website