This handbook gives the guidelines for organizing, developing, and evaluating simulations and drills and describes different uses for the exercises in the context of emergencies and disasters. It has been written primarily for heatlh sector organizations that are in the process of reviewing and updating emergency preparedness and response plans, but institutions from other sectors will also find it useful.

The Pan American Health Organization has worked with a group of experts from Latin America and the Caribbean to prepare a series of practical guidelines for planning and carrying out simulations and drills.