Ann Rehabil Med.  2023 Aug;47(4):237-260. 10.5535/arm.23071.

Disaster Response and Management: The Integral Role of Rehabilitation

• Amatya B
• Khan F

• KMID: 2545321
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23071

Abstract

With the increasing frequency of disasters and the significant upsurge of survivors with severe impairments and long-term disabling conditions, there is a greater focus on the importance of rehabilitation in disaster management. During disasters, rehabilitation services confront a greater load due to the influx of victims, management of persons with pre-existing disabilities and chronic conditions, and longer-term care continuum. Despite robust consensus amongst the international disaster response and management community for the rehabilitation-inclusive disaster management process, rehabilitation is still less prioritised. Evidence supports the early involvement of rehabilitation professionals in disaster response and management for minimising mortality and disability, and improving clinical outcomes and participation in disaster survivors. In the last two decades, there have been substantial developments in disaster response/management processes including the World Health Organization Emergency Medical Team (EMT) initiative, which provides a standardized structured plan to provide effective and coordinated care during disasters. However, rehabilitation-inclusive disaster management plans are yet to be developed and/or implemented in many disaster-prone countries. Strong leadership and effective action from national and international bodies are required to strengthen national rehabilitation capacity (services and skilled workforce) and empower international and local EMTs and health services for comprehensive disaster management in future calamities. This narrative review highlights the role of rehabilitation and current developments in disaster rehabilitation; challenges and key future perspectives in this area.

Keyword

Disaster; Rehabilitation; Disability; Impairment

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Total natural disasters by type 1980–1999 vs. 2000–2019. Source: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED); United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) (https://cred.be/sites/default/files/CRED-Disaster-Report-Human-Cost2000-2019.pdf) [4].

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  Fig. 2. Total number of disasters reported per country/territory (2000–2019). Source: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED); United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) (https://cred.be/sites/default/files/CRED-Disaster-Report-Human-Cost2000-2019.pdf) [4].

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  Fig. 3. Impact of natural disaster between 1980–1999 vs. 2000–2019. Source: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED); United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) (https://cred.be/sites/default/files/CRED-Disaster-Report-Human-Cost2000-2019.pdf) [4].

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  Fig. 4. Economic losses in absolute value (USD) compared to losses as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) by World Health Organization income group (2020). Source: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED); United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) (https://cred.be/sites/default/files/CRED-Disaster-Report-Human-Cost2000-2019.pdf) [4].

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  Fig. 5. Trends in the rehabilitation burden in sudden-onset disasters. Adapted from World Health Organization (Emergency medical teams:minimum technical standards and recommendations for rehabilitation; 2016) [20].

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  Fig. 6. Potential role of rehabilitation personnel in the disaster management cycle. PwD, persons with disabilities.

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