Overview

Early rehabilitation is now recognized as being an integral part of a patient’s recovery in conflicts and disasters. Starting in acute care, early rehabilitation can help prevent complications, speed recovery, and help ensure continuity of care. Rehabilitation professionals working in early rehabilitation need skills across a wide range of clinical areas, and in conflicts and disasters need to be able to manage challenges including large surges in patient numbers, limited equipment, and complex clinical presentations.

To help support this work, WHO collaborated with leading humanitarian organizations including Humanity and Inclusion, ICRC, MSF France, CBM and Livability to develop a clinical handbook and e-learning to support rehabilitation professionals who are working in, or who may face conflict or disasters.