20 Myths and realities in disaster situations | World Health Organization

1. Myth: Dead bodies pose a health risk
2. Myth: Epidemics and plagues are inevitable after every disaster.
3. Myth: The fastest way to dispose of bodies and avoid the spread of disease is through mass burials or cremations. This can help create a sense of relief among survivors.
4. Myth: It is impossible to identify a large number of bodies after a tragedy.
5. Myth: DNA techniques for identifying bodies is not available in most countries due to its high cost and technological requirements.
6. Myth: Foreign medical volunteers with any kind of medical background are needed.
7. Myth: Any kind of international assistance is needed, and it's needed now!
8. Myth: Disasters bring out the worst in human behaviour.
9. Myth: The affected population is too shocked and helpless to take responsibility for their own survival.
10. Myth: Disasters are random killers.
11. Myth: Locating disaster victims in temporary settlements is the best alternative.
12. Myth: Things are back to normal within a few weeks.
13. Myth: Starving people can eat anything
14. Myth: Children with diarrhoea should not be intensively fed
15. Myth: Refugees can manage with less.
16. Myth: Trading foods indicates that people do not need all of the rations.
17. Myth: A standard ration is suitable for all populations.
18. Myth: Energy adequacy means nutritional adequacy.
19. Myth: Disasters cause deaths at random.
20. Myth: It is best to limit information on the magnitude of the tragedy.

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http://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/ems/myths/en/