Keywords

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

An asterisk (*) refers to this term in Part I, the Dictionary

A

AAA:

*Accra Agenda for Action

AAH:

Action Against Hunger

AAM:

Air-to-air *missile

AB:

*Atom bomb, *atomic bomb

ABC:

Airway, breathing, circulation (emergency medicine)

Atomic, biological, chemical (weapons)

ABM:

*Antiballistic missile

ABU:

Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union

AC:

Arctic Council

ACC:

Administrative Committee on Coordination (United Nations)

ACF:

Action Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger: AAH)

ACGHST:

African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation

ACHPR:

African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

ACLS:

*Advanced cardiac life support

ACORD:

Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development

ACS:

*American College of Surgeons

ACSM:

Advocacy, communication and social mobilization

ACT:

Action by Churches Together

ACTED:

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (against malaria)

Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development

ACUNS:

*Academic Council on the United Nations System

ADB:

African Development Bank

AsDB:

Asian Development Bank

ADI:

Acceptable daily intake (of toxic substance)

ADP:

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (AIT)

ADRA:

Adventist Development and Relief Agency

AERE:

Atomic Energy Research Establishment (UK – Harwell)

AEROSAT:

International Aeronautic Satellite Programme

AFB:

Acid-fast bacilli

AFP:

Agence France Presse

AFRO:

Regional Office for Africa (WHO)

AFY:

Advocates for Youth

AGBU:

Armenian General Benevolent Union

AGFUND:

Arab Gulf Fund for United Nations Development

AGM:

Air-to-ground *missile

A(H1N1):

Porcine influenza virus strain

*Swine influenza virus pandemic 2009

AHCO:

AIDS Healthcare Organization

AHH:

Arbeitsstab Humanitäre Hilfe (Germany)

AHPSR:

Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (WHO)

AI:

*Amnesty International

AID:

United States Agency for International Development (also USAID)

AIDES:

Italian association for health development

*AIDS/Aids:

*Acquired immuno­deficiency syndrome (also HIV/AIDS)

AIFOMD:

Association Internationale de Formateurs en Objectifs du Millénaire pour le Développement / IAMDGT

AIS:

Abbreviated injury scale

AIT:

Asian Institute of Technology

AIUTA:

Association Internationale des Universités du Troisième Age

AKF:

*Aga Khan Foundation

*ALARA:

*As low as reasonably achievable (radiation dose)

ALDHU:

Latin American Human Rights Association

ALITE:

Augmented Logistics Interven­tion Team (WFP)

*ALS:

*Advanced life support (anaes­thesia, emergency)

AM:

Transmission through amplitude modulation

AMA:

American Medical Association

AMAP:

Arctic Monitoring Assessment Programme

AMDF:

AIDS-adjusted PMDF

AMELISAP:

Association des Médecins Libéraux Sapeurs Pompiers

AMI:

Acute myocardial infarction

AMP:

Agence de Médecine Préventive

AMPATH:

Academic Model for Preven­tion and Treatment of HIV/AIDS

AmRC/ARC:

American Red Cross

*AMRO:

Regional Office for the Americas (WHO)

AMSAT:

Amateur satellite

AMVER:

Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue

ANC:

Antenatal care

African National Congress (South Africa)

AP:

Associated Press

*APACHE:

*Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation

APCDM:

*Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine

API:

Active pharmaceutical ingredient

APM:

Asociaciòn Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo (Association of Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo – Argentina)

APOC:

African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (WHO)

APPS:

African Partnership for Public Health Safety

APT:

*Association for the Prevention of Torture

APU:

*Auxiliary power unit

ARABSAT:

Arab Satellite Communi­cations Organization

ARC:

American Refugee Committee

ARCDM:

All-Russian Centre for Disaster Medicine *Zaschita

ARD:

*Acute respiratory disease (or distress)

ARI:

Annual risk of infection

ARPCT:

Alliance for Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism

ARSI:

*Association of Rural Surgeons of India

ART:

Antiretroviral therapy

ARV:

Antiretrovirus

ASAFED:

African Association of Education for Development

ASAP:

As soon as possible

ASEAN:

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

ASH:

Action on Smoking and Health

ASI:

Anti-Slavery International

ATA:

Actual time of arrival

ATD:

Actual time of departure

ATLS:

*Advanced trauma life support

ATOP:

*Association for Trauma Outreach and Prevention

ATTAC:

*Attac. (French): Association pour une Taxation des Transactions financières pour l’Aide aux Citoyens

ATWC:

Alaska *Tsunami Warning Center

AU:

African Union (previously OAU: Organization of African Unity)

AVPU:

*Awake, verbal response, pain response, unresponsive

AVSI:

Association of Volunteers in International Service

AWACS:

Airborne Warning and Control System

AWRE:

Atomic Weapons Research Establishment

B

BAL:

British anti-lewisite

BBC:

British Broadcasting Corporation

*BCG:

*Bacille Calmette-Guérin (anti-TB vaccine)

BCT:

(WHO Department of) Blood Safety and Clinical Technology

BDP:

Bureau for Development Policy (UNDP)

BDS:

*Bradford Disaster Scale

BENELUX:

Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg

BHR:

Bureau for Humanitarian Response (US-OFDA)

*BLEVE:

*Boiling liquid expanded vapour explosion

BLS:

*Basic life support

BMA:

British Medical Association

BMI:

Body mass index

BMR:

*Basal metabolic rate

BMS:

Breast milk substitute

BOD:

*Burden of disease

BP:

Medicine: Blood pressure

Industry: British Petroleum

*Bq:

*Becquerel (unit of nuclear activity that has replaced the curie)

BRICS:

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (major emerging countries)

*BSA:

*Body surface area (of burn injury)

BSE:

*Bovine spongiform encephalo­pathy (mad cow disease)

BTS:

*Blood transfusion service

BW:

*Biological warfare/biological weapon(s)

BWC:

*Biological Weapons Convention

C

°C:

Celsius (degree of heat; has replaced the centigrade)

C3 :

Command, control and communi­cations

CAD:

Coronary artery disease

CAF:

Cost and freight

CAFOD:

Catholic Fund for Overseas Development

cal:

Calorie (unit of heat)

CALD:

Culturally and linguistically diverse

CARE:

Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere

CARICOM:

Caribbean Community and Common Market

*CARITAS:

*International Confede­ration of Catholic Organizations for Charitable and Social Action

CARTA:

Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa

CAS:

Collision avoidance system

CASs:

Country assistance strategies

CASA:

Coordinating Action on Small Arms

CAT:

*Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

CATW:

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women

CBC:

Community-based care

CBD:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

CBJO:

Coordinating Board of Jewish Organizations

CBO:

Community-based organization

CBRN:

Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, (non-conventional weapons)

cc:

Cubic centimetre

CC:

Corps Consulaire/Consular Corps

CCCF:

Canadian Child Care Federation (FCSGE)

CCD:

Convention to Combat Desertification (UN)

CCF:

Christian Children’s Fund

CCIA:

Commission of the Churches on International Affairs

CCS:

*Casualty Clearing Station

Country Cooperation Strategy (WHO)

CCW:

Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects

CD:

Conference on Disarmament

Corps Diplomatique/Diplomatic Corps

CDC:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA)

CDCIR:

Community Documentation Centre on Industrial Risk

CDE:

Centre International de l’Enfance (ICC, Paris)

CE:

Council of Europe/Conseil de l’Europe

CECP:

Committee Encouraging Corpo­rate Philanthropy

CEDAW:

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

CEF:

Central Emergency Response Fund

CEMD:

Confidential enquiry into maternal deaths

CEMEC:

*European Centre for Disaster Medicine/Centro Europeo per la Medicina delle Catastrofi

CEPREDENAC:

Centro de Prevenciòn para Desastres Naturales en America Central

CERD:

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN)

CERF:

Central Emergency Response Fund

CERN:

Centre Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire–European Centre for Nuclear Research

CESCR:

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UN)

CETIM:

*Centre Europe – Tiers Monde

CFC:

*Chemistry: chlorofluorocarbons

UN: Common Fund for Commodities

CFR:

Case fatality rate

CFS:

Committee on World Food Security

CFSAM:

Crop and Food Supply Assess­ment Mission (WFP-FAO)

CGF:

Calouste *Gulbenkian Foundation

CHAP:

Common Humanitarian Action Plan

Consolidated Humanitarian Assis­tance Programme

CHD:

Child Health and Development (Division of WHO)

CHF:

Canadian Hunger Foundation

CHH:

Child-headed household

CHOICE-WHO:

CHOosing Interven­tions that are Cost Effective-WHO

CHP:

Centre for Humanitarian Psychology

CHW:

*Community health worker

CI:

*Caritas Internationalis (CARITAS)

Conservation International

CIA:

Central Intelligence Agency (USA)

CICARWS:

Commission on Inter-Church Aid, Refugee and World Service

CICP:

Centre for International Crime Prevention

CICR/ICRC:

*Comité International de la Croix-Rouge – International Committee of the Red Cross

CICRED:

Committee for International Cooperation in National Research in Demography

CIDA:

*Canadian International Development Agency

CIHC:

Center for International Health and Cooperation

CIHR:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

CIGLOB:

International Center for Globalization and Development

CIF:

Cost, insurance and freight

CILSS:

Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the *Sahel

CIM:

Committee for International *Migration

CIMIC:

Civilian-military cooperation

CINDI:

Children in Distress International

CIOMS:

Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences

CIPIH:

Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Public Health (WHO)

CISFAM:

Consolidated Information System for *Famine Management in Africa

CISP:

Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli

CISR:

Center for International Stabili­zation and Recovery (of *landmines)

CITES:

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

CIVICUS:

World Alliance for Citizen Participation

CLAS:

Culturally and linguistically appropriate health services

cm:

Centimetre

CMA:

*Cranfield Mine Action Canadian Medical Association

CMH:

Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (WHO)

CMI:

Crop moisture index

CMR:

Crude mortality rate

CND:

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

CNN:

Cable News Network

CNS:

Central nervous system

CO2 :

*Carbon dioxide

COC:

Combined oral contraceptive

COD:

Cash on delivery

COHRED:

*Council on Health Research for Development

COMPAS:

Commodity Movement Processing and Analysis System (WFP)

COMSAT:

Communications Satellite Corporation

CONGO:

Conference of Non-Govern­mental Organizations in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council

COPD:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COR UNUM:

Coordination of Roman Catholic Relief Agencies

COSECSA:

College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa

COSME:

Operational Coordination of Medical Emergencies Surveillance (Italy)

COVAW:

Coalition on *Violence Against Women

CPI/TI:

*Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International

CpiE:

Child Protection in Emergencies

CPR:

*Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CR (E):

Casualty rate (estimation)

CRC:

Committee on the Rights of the Child

*CRED:

*Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (Belgium)

CRS:

Catholic Relief Services

CSB:

*Corn-soya blend

CSD:

Commission on *Sustainable Development

CSIRO:

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (Australia)

CSM:

*Corn-soya milk

CSO:

Civil Service Organization

CSOPP:

Civil Society Organizations and Participation Programme (UNDP)

CSOU:

*Civil Society and Outreach Unit (UN-DSPD)

CSR:

Corporate social responsibility

CSW:

Commercial sex worker

CTBT:

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

CTBTO:

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty Organization

CTS:

Communications Technology Satellite

CTV:

Centre for Torture Victims (Bosnia-Herzegovina)

CUI:

*Chernobyl Union International

CUSO:

Canadian University Services Overseas

CVA:

*Cerebrovascular accident

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

CVM:

Complex of vitamins and minerals

CW:

*Chemical warfare/chemical weapon

CWC:

*Chemical Weapons Convention

CWGL:

Center for Women’s Global Leadership

CWS:

Church World Service

D

DAC:

Development Assistance Commit­tee (OECD)

DALE:

*Disability-adjusted life expectancy

DALY(s):

*Disability-adjusted life year(s)

DANIDA:

Danish International Develop­ment Agency

DARA:

*Development Assistance Research Associates

DART:

Disaster Assistance Response Team (US/AID and Canada)

DAW:

Division for the Advancement of Women (UN)

DBS:

Direct broadcast satellite

DCCP:

Disaster critical control point

DCI:

Defence of Children International/DEI: Défense des Enfants International

DCF:

Development Cooperation Forum

DDA:

Department of Disarmament Affairs (UN)

DDD:

Direct distance dialling

DDR:

Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration

DDT:

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (insecticide)

DDW:

Das Diakonische Werk – German church service

DECAF:

*Democratic Control of Armed Forces/Geneva

DECIPHer:

Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement

DELNET:

Development local network (*ILO)

DESA:

Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN)

DEW:

Distant Early Warning (military radar network)

DFCM:

*Dried full-cream milk

DFID:

Department for Foreign International Development (UK)

DHA:

*UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (see OCHA)

DHD:

*Disaster health diplomacy

DHS:

Demographic and health surveys

DIANE:

Direct Information Access Network for Europe

*DNA:

*Deoxyribonucleic acid

DNDi:

*Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative

DNR:

Do not resuscitate

DOA/d.o.a.:

Dead on arrival

DoC:

Declaration of commitment

DOC:

Direct operating costs

DoCip:

Documentation Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Research and Information

DOTS:

Directly observed treatment short course (for TB, WHO)

DP:

Displaced person(s)

DPA:

Department of Political Affairs (UN)

DPI:

Department of Public Information/UN

Disabled Peoples’ International

DPKO:

*UN Department of Peace­keeping Operations

DPLU:

Disaster Prevention and Limitation Unit (*Bradford University, UK)

DPT:

*Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (vaccine)

DRC:

Danish Refugee Council

DRK:

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross)

DRS:

Drug resistance surveillance (or survey)

DRSE:

Drug-related side effects

DSA:

Daily subsistence allowance

DSM:

*Dried skim milk

DSPD:

Division of Social Policy and Development (UN-DESA)

DWH:

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe (German hunger aid)

DWM:

*Dried whole milk

E

EAC:

East African Community

EAFORD:

International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

EBM:

Evidence-based medicine

EBU/UER:

European Broadcasting Union/Union Européenne de Radiodiffusion

EDM:

(WHO Department of) Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy

EC:

European Commission

ECA:

Economic Commission for Africa

ECB:

European Central Bank

ECDC:

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

ECE:

Economic Commission for Europe

ECFMG:

Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates (USA)

ECHO*:

*European Community Humanitarian Office (EU)

ECHUI:

Ending Child Hunger and Undernutrition Initiative

ECLAC:

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN)

ECLS:

Extracorporeal life support

ECOSOC:

Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

ECOWAS:

Economic Community of West African States

ECP:

Essential clinical package

ECPAT:

End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism International

ECWA:

Economic Commission for Western Asia

ED/EM:

Essential drugs/essential medicines

EFA:

Education for All

EFNA:

Emergency Food Needs assessment

EHA:

Emergency and Humanitarian Action (WHO)

*eHealth:

Electronic health

EHESS:

L’Ecôle de Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales

EHRP:

Emergency Humanitarian Response Plan

EIA:

Environmental impact assessment

EMERCOM:

Emergency Committee (Russia)

EMMIR:

Emergency military medical assistance (France)

EMOP:

Emergency operation

EMP:

*Electromagnetic pulse

EMRIP:

UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

EMRO:

Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO)

EMS:

*Emergency medical services

ENEA:

(Italian Committee for) Nuclear Energy and Alternative Energies

ENSO:

*El Ninô – Southern Oscillation (meteorology)

EOC:

Emergency operations centre

EOE:

Equal opportunity employer

EPA:

Environmental Protection Agency (USA)

EPGH:

European Partnership in Global Health

EPHI:

Essential Public Health Interventions

EPI:

*Expanded Programme on Immunization (WHO-UNICEF)

EPRP:

Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan

EPSCO:

Employment, Social Policy, and Health and Consumer Affairs Council

EQA:

External quality assessment

ERC:

Emergency Relief Coordinator – UN New York

ER&FS:

Early Recovery and Food Security work plan

ERM:

*Emergency Risk Management and Humanitarian Response (WHO) (previously HAC and ERO)

ERNA:

Early Recovery Needs Assess­ment

ERTS:

Earth Resources Technology Satellite

ESA:

European Space Agency

ESCAP:

Economic and Social Com­mission for Asia and the Pacific (UN)

ESPRIT:

European Strategic Programme for Research and Development in Information Technology

ETA:

Expected time of arrival

ETD:

Expected time of departure

ETR:

Expected time of return

EU:

European Union

EURO/Euro:

Regional Office for Europe (WHO)

The European currency unit

Expat:

Expatriate person

F

°F:

Degree Fahrenheit

FAAD:

Food Aid and Development (WFP policies)

F&D/f&d:

Commerce: Freight and demurrage

FAO:

*Food and Agriculture Organization / UN

f.a.q.:

Commerce/shipping: Free alongside quay

FAR:

*Fund for Armenian Relief

FAS:

Commerce/shipping: Free alongside ship

FAWE:

Forum for African Women Educationalists

FBF:

*Fortified blended food

FBI:

Federal Bureau of Investigation (USA)

Focal brain ischaemia

FBO:

Faith-based organization

FCM:

*Full cream milk powder

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration (USA)

FDC:

Fixed-dose combination

FDI:

Foreign direct investment

*Fédération Dentaire Internationale/WDF

FERI:

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute

FFH/CAFD:

Freedom From Hunger – Campaign Action For Development

FFR:

Food for recovery

FFW:

Food for work

FGM:

*Female genital mutilation

FHI:

Food for the Hungry International

FHR:

Medicine: foetal heart rate

FICSA:

Former International Civil Servants’ Association (UN)

FIDH:

International Federation for Human Rights

FIGO:

Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et Obstétrique

FIND:

*Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics

FMEA:

Failure mode and effects analysis (also HC-FMEA)

FOB:

Commerce: free on board

f.o.s.:

Commerce: free on ship

f.o.t.:

Commerce: free of tax

FPC:

Fish protein concentrate

FPIC:

Free, prior and informed consent

ft:

Foot or feet (measure)

FXBI:

*Association François-Xavier Bagnoud/FXB International

FYI/f.y.i.:

For your information

G

g:

Gram or gramme

G8:

Group of eight leading rich industrial countries

G20:

*Group of 20 leading rich industrial countries

G77:

Group of 77 developing, non-aligned countries

GAA:

German Agro Action

GACD:

Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases

GAIN:

*Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition

GAINS:

Gender Awareness Information and Networking System

gal:

Gallon

GARP:

Global Atmosphere Research Programme

GAVI:

*Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization

GBD:

Global burden of disease

GBV:

Gender-based violence

GCCA:

Global Climate Change Alliance

GCI:

*Green Cross International

GCIM:

Global Commission on International Migration

GCS:

*Glasgow Coma Scale

GCSF:

Global *Civil Society Forum

GDA:

Global Development Alliance (USAID)

GDF:

Global Drug Facility (e.g. against tuberculosis)

GDP/gdp:

Gross domestic product

GenCap:

Gender Standby Capacity Project

*GEO:

Group on Earth Observations

GFAT:

*Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (also GF)

GFHR:

*Global Forum for Health Research

GFMER:

Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research

GFR:

General fertility rate

GH:

*Global health

GHC/WHO:

*Global Health Cluster/WHO

GHD:

*Global health diplomacy

*Good Humanitarian Donorship

GHF:

Geneva Health Forum

GHG:

(Global) *greenhouse gas

GHP:

Global Health Partnership (WHO)

GHWA:

Global Health Workforce Alliance

GIAN:

Geneva International Academic Network

GIEESC:

*Global Initiative for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care (WHO)

GIIDS:

*Graduate Institute of Inter­national and Development Studies (Graduate Institute, Geneva)

GINA:

Geneva International Network on Ageing

GIPRI:

Geneva International Peace Research Institute

GIS:

Geographic information systems

GISAH:

Global Information System on Alcohol and Health

GIVS:

Global Immunization Vision and Strategy

GLI:

Global Laboratory Initiative

Global Fund:

*Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria

GLOBE:

Global Legislators Organi­zation for a Balanced Environment

GMAD:

Global Mine Action Directory

GMDS:

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

GMEF:

Global Ministerial Environment Forum

GMF:

Genetically modified food

GMO:

Genetically modified organism

GMP/WHO:

*Good manufacturing practices (WHO model)

GMT:

Greenwich Mean Time

GNI:

Gross national income

GNP:

*Gross national product

GO:

Governmental organization

GOARN:

Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network

*GOES:

Geostationary Operational Envi­ronmental Satellite / *Global-Observing Environmental Satellite

GOS:

Global Observing System

GPEI:

Global Polio Eradication Initiative

GPS:

Global Positioning System

GPSC:

Global Patient Safety Challenge (WHO)

GRID:

Global Resource Information Database

GRIPP:

Global Review and Inventory of Population Policies

GRT:

Gross register tonnage

GSO:

Geostationary satellite orbit

Gy:

*Gray (Unit of radioactive absorbed dose)

H

H1N1:

Swine influenza virus strain (*pandemic)

H5N1:

*Avian influenza virus strain (*epidemic)

H2O:

*Water

HAV:

*Hepatitis A virus

HABITAT:

United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS)

HAC:

Health Action in Crises (WHO) (changed to *ERM)

HACCP:

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system

HALE:

Health-adjusted life expectancy (see *QALY)

HBC(s):

High-burden countries

HBV:

*Hepatitis B virus

HC-FMEA:

Health care – failure modes and effects analysis

HCHR:

*High Commissioner for Human Rights (also OHCHR, UNHCHR)

HCR:

*High Commissioner for Refugees (also UNHCR)

HDI:

Human development index

HDR:

Humanitarian daily *ration

HDS:

Department of Health Policy, Development and Services (WHO)

HDTC:

Humanitarian Demining Training Center

HE:

High energy (food)

HELP:

Health Emergencies in Large Populations

HEM:

High-energy milk (feeding mixture)

HFA:

Hyogo Framework for Action

HHS:

Health and Human Services Department (USA)

HIC:

*High-income country

HIID:

Harvard Institute for International Development

HILAC:

Heavy-ion linear accelerator

HIPC:

Heavily indebted poor countries

HiT:

Health care systems in transition

HIV:

*Human immunodeficiency virus

HIV/AIDS:

*Human immunodeficiency disease (also AIDS)

HLF:

High-Level Forum (on health MDGs)

HPC:

Hiroshima* Peacebuilders Center (Japan)

HRC:

Human Rights Council

HRI:

*Humanitarian Response Index

HRIC:

UN Office of Human Resources for International Cooperation (DESA)

HRP:

UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/WB Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction

HRT:

Hormone replacement therapy

HRW:

Human Rights Watch

HSP:

Health sector profile

HSR:

Health sector reform

HTA:

Health technology assessment

HUGO:

Human Genome Organization

HuMA:

*Humanitarian Medical Assis­tance (Japan)

HUMV/Humvee:

Human military light vehicle

HW:

Hazardous *waste

I

IAEA:

*International Atomic Energy Agency (UN)

IAESCSI:

International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS)

IAF:

International Abolitionist Federation

IAGS:

International Association of *Genocide Scholars

IAHM:

*International Association for Humanitarian Medicine Brock Chisholm

IALANA:

International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms

IAMANEH:

*International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health

IAMDGT/AIFOMD:

International Association of MDG Trainers/Association Internationale de Forma­teurs pour les Objectifs du Millénaire du Développement – AIFOMD

IANSA:

International Action Network on Small Arms

IAPSO:

International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans

IAR:

International Association for Religious Freedom

IARF:

Inter-Agency Procurement Services Office (UNDP)

IAS:

International Amateur Radio Union

International AIDS Society

IASC:

Inter-Agency Standing Commit­tee for Humanitarian Action

IATA:

International Air Transport Association

IAVCEI:

International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior

IAW:

International Alliance of Women

IBE:

International Bureau of Education

IBHR:

*International Bill of Human Rights

IBRD:

*International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (also *World Bank)

ICAA:

International Council on Alcohol and Addictions

ICAN:

International Campaign to Abolish *Nuclear Weapons

ICAO:

International Civil Aviation Organization (UN)

ICARRD:

International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Develop­ment

ICBL:

International Campaign to Ban *Landmines

ICBM:

Intercontinental ballistic *missile

ICC:

*International Criminal Court (for war crimes – The Hague)

ICCPR:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

ICD-10:

International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (WHO)

International Statistical Classification of Diseases (WHO)

ICDO:

*International Civil Defence Organisation

ICECI:

International Classification of External Causes of Injury (WHO)

ICESCR:

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

ICHRN:

International Centre for Human Resources in Nursing

ICIDH:

International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (WHO)

ICJ:

*International Court of Justice

International Commission of Jurists

ICM:

Intergovernmental Committee for *Migration

ICMH:

*International Centre for Migration and Health

ICMC:

International Catholic Migration Commission

ICN:

International Council of Nurses

ICPD:

International Conference on Population and Development

ICPO:

“Interpol” – International Criminal Police Organization

ICR:

International Centre of Radio­pathology

ICRC:

*International Committee of the Red Cross

ICR-DC:

International Cooperation Research for Developing Countries

ICRP:

International Commission on Radiological Protection / *IAEA

ICRU:

International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements

ICS:

*Incident Command System

ICSLS:

International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea

ICSM:

*Instant corn-soya milk

ICSR:

International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence

ICSU:

International Council of Scientific Unions

ICT:

Information and communications technology

ICTAC:

International Institute for Counter-Terrorism

International Counter-Terrorism Academic Community

ICTR:

*International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

ICTY:

International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

ICU:

*Intensive care unit

ICVA:

International Council of Voluntary Agencies

ID:

Identity document

International dollar (also I$)

IDA:

*International Development Association (World Bank Group)

Islamic Democratic Association

IDB:

Inter-American Development Bank

IDDM:

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

IDP:

*Internally displaced person

IDRC:

International Development Research Centre (Canada)

IDRM:

International Institute for Disaster Risk Management

IDRO:

International Disaster Relief Operation

IDTR&M:

Identification, documentation, tracing, reunification and mediation

IDWIP:

International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

IEA:

International Energy Agency

IEC:

International Electrotechnical Commission

IEDD:

Improvised explosive device disposal

IFAD:

International Fund for Agricultural Development (UN)

IFCT:

International Forum for Counter-Terrorism

IFF:

Identification – friend or foe (radar identity system)

IFFIm:

International Finance Facility for Immunisation

IFHHRO:

International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organisa­tions

IFMSA:

*International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations

IFPMA:

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations

IFRC:

*International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

IFSC:

*International Federation of Surgical Colleges

IFUW:

International Federation of University Women

IGCC:

Intergovernmental Group on *Climate Change

IGO:

Intergovernmental organization

IHEID:

Institut de Hautes Etudes Internationales et du Développement / The *Graduate Institute, Geneva

IHEU:

International Humanist and Ethical Union

IHF:

International Hospital Federation

IHL:

*International humanitarian law

IHR:

*International Health Regulations (2005)

IIHL:

International Institute of Humanitarian Law

IISEE:

International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering

IIWF:

International Independent Women’s Forum

ILA:

International Law Association

ILC:

International Law Commission

ILO:

*International Labour Organization (UN)

ILOS:

In-patient length of stay (in hospital)

IMARSAT:

International Maritime Satellite Organization (also INMARSAT)

IMC:

International Medical Corps

IMCO:

International Maritime Consultative Organization (UN)

IMF:

*International Monetary Fund

IMO:

International Maritime Organization

IMPACT:

*International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce

IMPATT:

Impact avalanche transit time

IMRA:

Independent Media Review and Analysis

IMSAR:

International Maritime Search and Rescue Plan

in:

Inch

INADES:

Institut Africain pour le Développement Economique et Social

INCB:

International Narcotics Control Board

INES:

*International Nuclear Event Scale

INF:

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces

INFDC:

International Nutrition Foundation for Developing Countries

INFOTERRA:

Sources of technical, scientific and decision-oriented information

INMARSAT:

International Maritime Satellite Organization (also IMARSAT)

INPEA:

International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse

INRUD:

International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs

INSARAG:

International Search and Rescue Advisory Group

INSTRAW:

International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN)

INTELSAT:

International Telecom­munications Satellite Consortium

Interpol:

International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO)

INTERSPUTNIK:

International Organi­zation of Space Communications

IOM:

*International Organization for Migration

IPA:

International Paediatric Association

IPB:

International Peace Bureau (Geneva)

IPC:

International Polar Commission

IPCC:

Intergovernmental Panel on *Climate Change

IPCS:

*International Programme on Chemical Safety (WHO-UNEP)

IPEC:

International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

IPI:

International Press Institute

IPO:

Indigenous peoples’ organization

IPPF:

International Planned Parenthood Federation

IPPNW:

*International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

IPRAS:

International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery

IPT:

Isoniazid preventive therapy

IPU:

Inter-Parliamentary Union

IPV:

Inactivated polio vaccine

IRC:

International Rescue Committee

IRENE:

Informal Regional Network of NGOs

IRP:

*International Recovery Platform

IRPTC:

International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals

IRR:

Incidence rate ratio

IRS:

Indoor residual spraying

ISBI:

International Society for Burn Injuries

ISDR:

*International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN)

ISIS:

International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies

ISO:

International Organization for Standardization

ISS:

International Social Service / SSI

ISTC:

International Standards for Tuberculosis Care

ITACCS:

International Trauma Anaesthesia Critical Care Society

ITIC:

International Tsunami Information Center (Honolulu)

ITN:

Insecticide-treated mosquito net

ITU:

*International Telecom­munication Union (UN)

Intensive therapy unit (also ICU)

IUD:

Intra-uterine device (for contraception)

IV (i.v.):

Medicine: Intravenous

IWGIA:

International Working Group for Indigenous Affairs

IWTC:

International Women’s Tribune Centre

J

J:

joule

JCWI:

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants

JDR:

Japan Disaster Relief

JFAM:

Joint Food Needs Assessment Mission (WFP/UNHCR)

JICA:

*Japan International Cooperation Agency

JMTDR:

*Japan Medical Team for Disaster Relief

K

kcal:

*Kilocalorie (energy unit)

KCSJ:

Knight Commander of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (also KSJ, Knights Hospitaller)

*Kerma:

Kinetic energy released in matter

KFOR:

Multinational Kosovo Force

Kg:

Kilogram (or kilogramme)

KKK:

Ku Klux Klan (US)

Km:

*Kilometre or kilometer (also km)

Kt:

*Kiloton

kw:

*Kilowatt

L

LA:

Lead Agency

LANDSAT:

Earth Resources Technology Satellite

*Laser:

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

LAV:

Light armoured vehicle

lb:

*Pound

LCT:

Landing craft tank

LDC:

*Least-developed countries

LD-50:

Median lethal dose

LDF:

Local development fund

LHRD:

Lawyers for Human Rights and Development

LIFDC:

Low-income, food-deficit country

LLITN:

Long-lasting insecticide-treated net (against malaria). Also LLIN

LMIC:

Low- and middle-income countries

LPG:

Liquified petroleum gas

LSHTM:

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

LTSH:

Land-side transport, storage and handling

LWR:

Lutheran World Relief

LWS:

Lutheran World Service

M

m:

*Metre or meter

MAD:

Military: Mutual assured destruction

M&E:

Monitoring and evaluation

MAIC:

Mine Action Information Center (see ICBL)

MAROTS:

Maritime orbital test satellite

MARS:

Major accident reporting system

MASCAL:

*Mass casualty

MASH:

Mobile army surgical hospital

MBC:

*Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters /

*Euro-Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters

MCDA:

Military and civil defence assets

MCH:

Mother and child health

MCI:

*Mass casualty incident

MCO:

Managed care organization

MDG(s):

UN Millennium Development Goal(s)

*Millennium Development Goal(s)

MDM:

Médecins du Monde / Doctors of the World

MDTF:

Multi-donor trust fund

MDR:

Multidrug resistant disease (see also XDR)

Multidrug resistant

MDR-TB:

Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (with isoniazid and rifampicin resistance)

MDS:

Maritime Distress and Safety System

MEDICS:

Medical Information and Coordination System

MEDINT:

Medical intelligence

MEDLARS:

Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System

MEDLINE:

Medical Literature Online (NLM)

MERLIN:

Medical Emergency Relief International

METEOSAT:

Meteorological Satellite, Europe

METTAG:

Medical emergency triage tag

Medical Emergency *Triage Tag

MFI:

*Microfinance institution

*Mg:

Milligramme or milligram (also mg)

MHI:

*Major hazard installation

MI5:

British counter-intelligence agency

MI6:

British intelligence and espionage agency

MIC:

Methyl isocyanate (*Bhopal disaster of 1984)

MIDAS:

Missile Defense Alarm System

MIM:

Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (in Africa)

MINURCAT:

UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad

MINUSTAH:

UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti

MIRV:

Multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle

MISP:

Minimum initial service package

MMEIG:

Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group

MMR:

Measles-mumps-rubella (vaccine)

Maternal mortality rate/ratio

MMI:

*Medicus Mundi International

MMV:

Medicines for Malaria Venture

MNT:

Maternal and neonatal tetanus

MONUC:

Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (UN)

MOF:

*Multiple organ failure

MOH:

Ministry of Health

MOTAPM:

Explosive remnants of war and mines other than anti-personnel landmines

MoU:

Memorandum of understanding

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging (body scan)

MRSA:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylo­coccus aureus

MSAC:

*Most seriously affected countries

MSF:

*Médecins sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders

MSH:

Management sciences for health

MSW:

Medical social worker

Mt:

*Megaton

MT:

Metric tonne

MTA:

*Medicines Transparency Alliance

MTE:

Mass toxicological event

MTF:

Medical treatment facility

MUAC:

Medicine: Mid-upper-arm circum­ference

MW:

Megawatt

N

NAICC:

National Aborigine and Islander Child Care (Australia)

*Napalm:

Aluminium naphthenate – aluminium palmitite (weapon)

NASA:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)

NATO:

*North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Nazi:

(German): Nazional-sozialisten

NC:

Nuremberg Charter

NCBW:

Nuclear, chemical and biological warfare (or weapon)

NCD:

Noncommunicable disease

NCHS:

National Centre for Health Statistics

NDP:

National drug policy

NFI:

Non-food item

NFZ:

Nuclear-free zone

NGLS:

*United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service

NGO:

*Non-governmental organization

NGS:

Nuclear generating station

NHDP:

National Health Development Plan

NHS:

National Health Service

NIH:

Nationl Institutes of Health

NIS:

Newly Independent State(s)

NNHT:

Nuffield Nursing Homes Trust (UK)

NNT:

Nuclear Non-prolferation Treaty (also NPT)

NOAA:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NORAD:

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

North American Air Defense Command

NPA:

Norwegian Peoples’ Aid

NPC:

National Programme Coordinator (WHO)

*NPT:

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

NRC:

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US)

NRDS:

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

NRO:

National Reconnaissance Office (USA)

*NRT:

Net registered tonnage

NTD:

*Neglected tropical disease(s)

NTP:

National tuberculosis control programme (or equivalent)

NWC:

National WHO Programme Coordinator

NWFZ:

Nuclear-weapons-free zone

NYD:

Medicine: Not yet diagnosed

O

OAS:

Organization of American States

OAU:

Organization of African Unity. (Changed to AU: African Union)

OCHA:

*Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN)

ODA:

Official development assistance

Overseas Development Agency

ODCCP:

Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention / UN

ODI:

Overseas Development Institute (UK)

OECD:

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

OFDA:

*Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USA)

OHA:

Office for Humanitarian Affairs (WFP)

*OHCHR:

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ( also HCHR, UNHCHR)

OHRLLS:

Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

OIE:

Office International des Epizooties (WOAH)

OMAEP:

World Organization for Parental Education Associations /Organisation mondiale des Associations pour l’Education parentale

OMCT:

Organisation mondiale contre la Torture / World Organization Against Torture / SOS Torture

*OPCAT:

*Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture

OPCW:

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

OPEC:

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

OPV:

Oral polio vaccine

OR:

Surgical: Operating room

ORS:

*Oral rehydration salts

ORSEC:

Disaster relief organization, France

OSCAL:

Office of the Special Coordinator for Africa and the Least Developed Countries/DESA

OSCAR:

Orbital Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio

OSCC:

On-site operations coordinating centre

OSCE:

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

OSRO:

Office of Special Relief Operations

OST:

Office of Science and Technology (USA)

*Outer Space Treaty

OVC:

Orphans and vulnerable children

OWRA:

Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (USA)

OXFAM*:

*Oxford Committee for Famine Relief International

P

Pa:

*Pascal

PADCO:

Planning and Development Collaborative International

PAHO:

Pan American Health Organi­zation *(WHO)

PAM:

Programme Alimentaire Mondial – *World Food Programme (UN)

Pap:

Medicine: vernacular abbreviation for Papanicolaou cervical test

PAR:

Population at risk

PASB:

Pan American Sanitary Bureau (PAHO)

PATH:

Programme for *Appropriate Technology in Health

PC:

Peace Corps

PCI:

Project Concern International

PCM:

*Protein-calorie malnutrition

PCNA:

Post-conflict needs assessment

PEC/WHO:

*Polio, Emergencies and Country Collaboration/WHO

PEM:

Protein-energy malnutrition

PEPFAR:

(USA) President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

PERT:

Programme evaluation and review technique

PET:

Potential evapotranspiration

Positron emission tomography

P4P:

Policy for planning

PFII:

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

PHC:

*Primary health care

PHM:

*Prehospital medicine

*People’s Health Movement

PHR:

Physicians for Human Rights

PID:

Pelvic inflammatory disease

PIK:

Payment in kind

PIU:

Policy intelligence unit

PLS:

Prolonged life support (anaes­thesia)

PMDF:

Proportion of maternal deaths among females of reproductive age

PMSC:

*Private military and security company

PNND:

Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament

PNP:

Private non-profit

p.o.:

Medicine: per os – by mouth

POMR:

Problem-oriented medical record

POP:

Fractures/orthopaedics: Plaster of Paris

POW:

*Prisoner of war or prisoner-of-war

PPE:

Personal protective equipment

PPH:

Post-partum haemorrhage

*Pro-poor health strategy

PPM:

Public-private mix

PPP:

Purchasing power parity

PQMD:

Partnership for Quality Medical Donations

PRD/S:

Post-resuscitation disease/syndrome

*PRISM:

*Prognostic risk of mortality

PROGRESA:

Programa de Educaciòn, Salud y Alimentaciòn

PRRO:

Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (WFP)

PRS:

*Poverty reduction strategy

PSI:

*Population Services International

PSR:

Physicians for Social Responsibility

PTA:

Travel: prepaid ticket authorization

Parent-Teacher Association

PTSS:

Programme and Technical Support Section (UNHCR)

*Post-traumatic stress syndrome

PTWC:

Pacific *Tsunami Warning Center (Honolulu)

PUO:

Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin

PVO(s):

Private and voluntary organization(s)

Q

QAP:

Quick action project

Quake:

Vernacular abbreviation for earthquake

Quakers:

Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers)

QALE:

*Quality-adjusted life expectancy

QALY(s):

*Quality-adjusted life year(s)

R

RA:

*Radium

RACES:

Radio Amateur Civil Engineering Service

*rad:

Radiation absorbed dose (replaced by gray – Gy)

*Radar:

Radio detection and ranging

RAMOS:

Reproductive age mortality studies

RAP:

*Rapid Assessment Protocol

R&D:

Research and development

RBC/rbc:

Medicine: red blood cells

RBM:

Roll Back *Malaria Partnership (WHO)

RC:

*Red Cross

RCPSC:

*Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

RCRC:

*Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC)

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

RDF:

Rapid Deployment Force (USA)

READI:

Euro-Arab Network of NGOs for Development and Integration

REC:

Regional Economic Community

Radda Barnen:

Swedish Save the Children Organization

Redd Barna:

Norwegian Save the Children Organization

*rem:

Roentgen equivalent man

REMPAN:

Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network

Res Rep:

Resident Representative (of UNDP)

R2P:

Right to *protection

Rh:

Medicine: Rhesus factor

RH:

Reproductive health

RHIB:

Rigid-hulled inflatable boat

RI:

*Refugees International

Ro-ro:

Roll on/roll off (ferry)

RT:

Register ton

RUTF:

Ready-to-use therapeutic food

S

s:

Second

S&T:

Science and technology / scientific and technological

SAA:

Small arms ammunition

SAAFA:

Special Arab Assistance Fund for Africa

SAARC:

Southern African Association for Regional Cooperation

SAB:

Skilled attendant at birth (as a proportion of total live births)

SADC:

Southern African Development Community

SAFE:

Surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement

SAGE:

Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (on immunization),(WHO)

SAILD:

Service d’Appui aux Initiatives Locales de Développement

SALT:

*Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

SAM:

Severe acute malnutrition

Surface-to-air *missile

SAMU:

French EMS: Service d’Assistance Médicale d’Urgence

SAR:

*Search and rescue

SARAH:

Search and rescue and homing (radar system)

SAREC:

Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation with Developing Countries

SARS:

*Severe acute respiratory syndrome

SARSAT-COPAS:

Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking

SATURN:

Specific Antibiotic Therapies on the prevalence of human host-resistant bacteria

SBA:

Standby arrangement(s)

SCF(I):

Save the Children Fund (International)

SCHR:

Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response

Scuba:

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus

SDC:

*Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

SDE:

Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments Cluster (WHO)

SDI:

*Strategic Defense Initiative (“Star Wars”)

SDR:

Swiss Association for Aid to Developing Countries (SWISSAID)

SEA:

Sexual exploitation and abuse

SEARO:

Regional Office for South-East Asia (WHO)

SEATO:

South East Asia Treaty Organization

SEEHN:

South-Eastern Europe Health Network

SERPAJ:

Servicio Paz y Justicia (Uruguay)

SFB:

*Soya-fortified bulgur

SFCM:

*Soya-fortified cornmeal

SFP/C:

*Supplementary feeding programme / centre

SFSG:

*Soya-fortified sorghum grits

SGBV:

Sexual and gender-based violence

SHAPE:

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (NATO)

SHARED:

Scientists for Health and Research for Development

SI:

Système International d’Unités (International System of Units)

SIAMED:

WHO model system for computer-assisted drug registration

SID:

*Society for International Development

SIDA:

Swedish International Development Authority

SIPRI:

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

SITREP:

Situation report

SIW:

Self-inflicted wound

SKI:

Street Kids International (Canada)

SLBM:

Submarine-launched ballistic missile

SLCM:

Submarine-launched cruise missile

*SMS/GOES:

Synchronous Meteorolo­gical Satellites / *Global-observing environmental satellites

SOLAS:

International Conference for the *Safety of Life at Sea

SONAR:

Sound navigation and ranging

SORT:

Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty

SOS:

Save our souls (distress signal)

*Surgeons OverSeas

SOST:

SOS *Torture

Soweto:

South-Western Townships (South Africa)

SP:

*The Sphere Project

Samaritan’s Purse

SPFS:

Special Programme for Food Security

SRAM:

Short-range attack missile

SRS:

Strategic rotating stockpile

SSSL:

Safe Surgery Saves Lives (WHO programme)

*START:

*Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

Simple treatment and rapid transport system

STD:

*Sexually transmitted disease(s)

SUMA:

Supply management for disaster relief (PAHO-WHO)

Sv:

*Sievert – unit of radiation dose

SWAps:

*Sector-wide approaches

SWAPO:

South West Africa People’s Organization

SWEAT:

*Severe weather threat (WMO)

SWISSAID:

*Swiss association for aid to developing countries (SDC)

T

TA:

Transnational Authority

TAB:

Total absorbed dose (of radiation)

TAG:

Technical Advisory Group

TAT:

Toxin antitoxin

TB/Tb:

*Tuberculosis

TB/DOTS:

Directly observed treatment short course for tuberculosis

TBA:

*Traditional birth attendant

TBSA:

Total *body surface area (in burn injury)

TCAM:

*Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine

TCDC:

*Technical cooperation among developing countries

TdH:

Fédération Internationale Terre des Hommes

TDR:

Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (UNDP/WHO/World Bank)

TEKT:

*Technology enabled knowledge translation

Telex:

Teleprinter exchange

TF(s):

Trust fund(s)

TFP/C:

*Therapeutic feeding programme/centre

TFR:

Total fertility rate

TI:

*Transparency International

TIR:

Transport International Routier/International Road Transport

TISS:

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (India)

TMI:

*Three Mile Island (nuclear accident, USA)

TNM:

Tumour (size), node (involvement), metastasis (in cancer classification)

*TNT:

*2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (chemical explosive)

TOKTEN:

Transfer of knowledge through expatriate nationals

TRC:

*Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa

TRISS:

*Trauma and injury severity score

TS:

*Trauma score (AMA)

Tidal scale

TSK:

Transitional shelter kit

U

U:

*Uranium

U3A:

University of the Third Age

UAM:

*Unaccompanied minor

UCI:

Universal child immunization

UER/EBU:

Union Européenne de Radiodiffusion / European Broadcasting Union

UFO:

Unidentified flying object

UHS:

Uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock

UHT:

Ultra-high heat treated (e.g. milk)

UMCOR:

United Methodist Committee on Relief

*UN:

*United Nations, United Nations Organization

UNA(s):

United Nations Association(s)

UNAIDS:

United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNCAC:

United Nations Convention Against *Corruption

UNCAST:

United Nations Conference on the Applications of Science and Technology

UNCCD:

United Nations Convention to Combat *Desertification

UNCED:

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

UNCHR:

*United Nations Council on Human Rights (previously Commission)

UNCHS:

*United Nations Centre for Human Settlements – HABITAT

UNCIVPOL:

*United Nations Civil Police

UNCLOS:

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

UNCT:

United Nations Country Team

UNCTAD:

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

UNCSTD:

United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development

UNDAF:

United Nations Development Assistance Framework

UNDEF:

*United Nations Democracy Fund

UNDHR:

*Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UNDP:

*United Nations Development Programme

UNDPKO:

*United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations

UNDRO:

Office of the UN Disaster Relief Coordinator (superseded by *OCHA)

UNEP:

*United Nations Environment Programme

UNERC:

*United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator

UNESCAP:

*UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (also ESCAP)

*UNESCO:

*United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNFCCC:

*United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNFICYP:

United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

UNFPA:

*United Nations Fund for Population Activities/UN Population Fund

UN-HABITAT:

*United Nations Centre for Human Settlements

UNHCHR:

*United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (also OHCHR)

UNHCR:

*United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHMH:

United Nations Humanitarian Mission in Haiti

UNHRD:

United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (Brindisi)

UNIC(s):

United Nations Information Centre(s)

UNICEF:

*United Nations Children’s Fund

UNICRI:

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

UNIDIR:

*United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

UNIDO:

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

UNIFEM:

United Nations Development Fund for Women

UNIFIL:

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

UNIMAS:

United Nations *Mine Action Service

UNIPAC:

*UNICEF Procurement and Assembly Centre (Copenhagen *stockpile)

UNIRENE:

United Nations Informal Regional Network of NGOs

UNISDR:

*UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (OCHA)

UNITAID:

*UN International facility for purchase of diagnostics and drugs for tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria

UNITAR:

United Nations Institute for Training and Research

UNMIK:

United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

UNODC:

*United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UNOG:

*United Nations Office at Geneva

UNON:

*United Nations Office at Nairobi

UNOOSA:

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

UNOV:

*United Nations Office at Vienna

UNPFII:

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

UNPROFOR:

United Nations Protection Force

UNRCA:

United Nations Registry of Conventional Arms

UNRISD:

United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

UNRWA:

*United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

UNSCEAR:

*United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation

UNSCP:

United Nations Special Committee on Palestine

UNSECOORD:

UN Security Coordinator (New York)

UNSO:

*United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office

UN-SPIDER:

United Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response

UNU:

*United Nations University

UNV:

United Nations Volunteers

UNVFVT:

UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture

UNW:

United Nations Women

UNWGIP:

UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations

UP:

United Press

UPI:

United Press International

URI/URTI:

Upper respiratory (tract) infection

USAID:

United States Agency for International Development (also AID)

UTC:

*Universal Time Consolidated

UXO/UXB:

Unexploded ordnance/unexploded bomb

UXOCE:

UXO Center of Excellence

V

VD:

*Venereal disease(s)

VDRL:

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (for syphilis test)

VECTOR:

State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology (Russia, variola)

VHF:

Very high frequency (radio)

VITA:

Volunteers in Technical Assistance Inc.

VLBW:

Very low birth weight

VNGOC:

Vienna NGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs

VOICE:

Voluntary Organisations in Cooperation for Emergencies

VOLAG:

*Voluntary agency

VR:

Vital registration

W

W:

*Watt

WADEM:

*World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine

WAPS:

World Alliance for *Patient Safety (WHO)

WASH:

*Water, sanitation and hygiene

WBC:

White blood cells

WCC:

*World Council of Churches

WCED:

*World Commission on Environment and Development

WCRWC:

Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children

WEFAX:

Weather facsimile communications system

WES:

Water and environmental sanitation

WFC:

World Food Council

WFH:

Weight for height (nutrition survey)

WFNS:

World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies

WFP:

*World Food Programme (UN)

WFSOS:

World Federation of Surgical Oncology Societies

WFSW:

World Federation of Scientific Workers

WHA:

*World Health Assembly (of WHO)

WHO:

*World Health Organization

WHODAS:

WHO Disability Assessment Schedule

*WHOPAX:

WHO Committee on the role of physicians in the preservation and promotion of peace

WIA:

Wounded in action

WIDER:

*World Institute for Develop­ment Economics Research (UNU)

WILPF:

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

WINGS:

WFP Information Network and Global System

WIPO:

World Intellectual Property Organization (UN)

WJC:

World Jewish Congress

WLM:

Women’s Liberation Movement

WMA:

*World Medical Association

WMD(s):

*Weapon(s) of mass destruction

WMO:

*World Meteorological Organization (UN)

WOAH:

World Association for Animal Health (OIE)

WOAT:

World Organisation Against *Torture (SOS Torture)

WOFAPS:

World Federation of Associations of Paediatric Surgeons

WOH:

*World Open Hospital (*IAHM)

WOSM:

World Organization of the *Scout Movement (boy scouts/girl guides)

WPA:

World Psychiatric Association

WPC:

WHO Programme Coordinator

WPRO:

Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO)

WR:

*WHO representative

WRO (w.r.o.):

(Commerce/insurance) war risks only

WSB:

*Wheat-soya blend

WSM:

*Wheat-soya milk

WSSD:

World Summit on *Sustainable Development

WTO:

World Trade Organization

WUS:

World University Service

WV:

*World Vision International

WWF:

*World Wide Fund for Nature International (formerly World Wildlife Fund)

WWSSN:

World-Wide Standard Seismography Network

WWW:

*World Weather Watch (WMO)

www:

World Wide Web

X

XDR:

Extensively drug-resistant disease

XDR-TB:

Tuberculosis caused by MDR strains also resistant to fluoroquinolone

Y

Y:

Young Men’s/Women’s Christian Association (formerly YMCA, YWCA)

YLDs:

Year(s) lost due to disability

YOB:

Year of birth

YPLL:

Year(s) of potential life lost

Z

ZEG:

Zero economic growth

ZMK:

Zentrum für Meeres- und Klimaforschung / Centre for Ocean and Climate Research, Germany

ZPG:

Zero population growth

ZT:

Zulu Time (see *Greenwich Mean Time)

ZZ:

*Zone zero