Open AccessDisaster Rehabilitation Response Plan
Author(s) -
Bhasker Amatya,
Su Yi Lee,
Mary P. Galea,
Fary Khan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
american journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1537-7385
pISSN - 0894-9115
DOI - 10.1097/phm.0000000000001308
Subject(s) - rehabilitation , accreditation , action plan , medicine , software deployment , emergency management , public relations , medical emergency , medical education , physical therapy , political science , management , engineering , software engineering , law , economics
There is a strong consensus among humanitarian response authorities for a need for global action by professional organizations to work toward developing a structured approach to provide a coordinated international response during sudden-onset disasters. The aim of this report was to develop a Disaster Rehabilitation Response Plan to enable International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine to provide leadership and governance role in liaison/coordination with the WHO emergency medical team initiative and other relevant stakeholders to provide rehabilitation input during sudden-onset disasters. The proposed plan uses a "three-tier approach": tier 1, immediate disaster response at a national/international level; tier 2, organization and deployment of rehabilitation personnel; and tier 3, rehabilitation management of disaster survivors and community reintegration. The International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (and its subcommittee, the Disaster Rehabilitation Committee), categorized in the tier 2, could provide central leadership role working for the rehabilitation subcluster within the WHO emergency medical team initiative (tier 1) and support in coordination, preparation, and management of rehabilitation teams and/or members for deployment to sudden-onset disasters. The Disaster Rehabilitation Committee could also contribute to advocacy, training, and accreditation processes for rehabilitation professionals. The challenge ahead is commitment of countries worldwide to develop comprehensive rehabilitation-inclusive approach to ensure effective delivery of services to communities at risk.