Natural Disasters: Epidemics, Pandemics and Use of Armed Forces in Support of Risk Management

Abstract

Epidemics or pandemics are configured as events corresponding to a biological risk, which can be of natural or anthropogenic origin, intentional or involuntary, which cause a great impact on the population, showing the vulnerability of the human being. Thus, the States, governments and various entities that confrontt, eventually with the support of international organizations and NGO's, seek to provide a timely response to reduce the uncertainty and fear that exists in the citizenry. Thereby, part of the institutions that support the first response is the military power, which with its mobilization, logistics, leadership, command and control, among other capacities, provides its human resources, goods and equipment to face these threats, which in addition to being a problem of public health, can become a problem for the security, peace and stability of a State. And although in all countries the Defense sector is considered to strengthen the response, there are similarities and differences regarding their employ, also identifying the importance of preparing and synchronizing plans between civil and military entities to improve their capabilities by time to attend emergencies of this type. Finally, the importance of taking care of military personnel who will carry out support missions to other State entities is considered, where physical and psychological health will avoid diminishing the aid capacity, as well as training activities, organization and generation of doctrine, to have ready units that collaborate effectively and do not hinder actions, especially in functions that go beyond the activities of protection, isolation and physical security.