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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 June 2012
The Khao I Dang Holding Center for Kampucheans opened November 21, 1979 as part of an effort to bring relief to the thousands of Cambodian on the eastern frontier of Thailand. The camp population increased from 4800 that first day to 50,000 by December 1, 1979 and 110,000 by mid-January, 1980. Sixty-one percent (61%) of the population were 15 years of age and older; 12% of these over 44. Thirty-nine percent (39%) were children under 15.
Although each disaster is unique, the medical problems for a type of disaster in a stated area are considered predictable. This was not the case at Khao I Dang for hospital pysicians in providing patient care. It has been shown that relief efforts are amenable to study, yet such studies have been handicapped by a lack of data. Since major disasters involving international aid are reported several times a year, the problem is considerable.