ISPRM Disaster Rehabilitation Committee (DRC) Annual Meeting 2021
The ISPRM Disaster Rehabilitation Committee (DRC) Annual Meeting 2021 was held virtually on 7th October 2021, 9:00 – 10:00 pm (Australia EST). This session followed the DRC Bi-annual Meeting held on 27th November 2020. The meeting was well attended and chaired by Prof Fary Khan (DRC Chair) and Dr Bhasker Amatya (Interim Chair).
The theme was ‘The DRC future agenda’ and included: updated DRC operational guidelines 2021; DRC elections in 2022 for potential candidates/office bearers; DRC special session proposal for 15th World ISPRM Congress in Lisbon, Portugal 2022; update on current DRC members; key activities and future programs (including online learning platforms). Practical hands-on disaster training sessions to begin once COVID restrictions relax (Chengdu, China). This meeting was important step to advocate for the WHO EMTI, in line with the ISPRM agenda. A special survey would be conducted to confirm DRC group membership and member participation in individual working groups. Prof Khan highlighted that DRC was well represented within the ISPRM collaboration and working with other committees. She thanked members for actively participating in various DRC working groups.
The meeting commenced with the current list of DRC activities and achievements (presentations Prof Khan and Dr Amatya), followed by an interactive session, specifically focusing on the importance of rehabilitation during disasters. Prof Jan Reinhardt (Immediate Past Chair) provided an overview on the DRC election procedures and the role of Officer Bearers. The meeting was concluded with constructive feedback with useful input for future projects, such as health impact due to climate change and disability (Dr Marcalee Alexander presented her vision of future plans with the DRC); the implementation of the ICF ClinFIT in disaster settings (in collaboration with the ISPRM ClinFIT Working Group), development of practice guidelines for major injuries in disaster settings (burns, fractures. multi-trauma, etc.), training and educational courses for rehabilitation professionals, evaluation of the clinical outcomes in austere environments especially refugees, and others.
Prof Khan thanked the participants and encouraged all to join the DRC Working Groups and actively contribute to various ISPRM activities in the future.
Prepared by: Fary Khan and Bhasker Amatya
Learn more about the ISPRM Disaster Rehabilitation Committee (DRC): https://www.isprm.org/collaborate/drc/
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