World Physiotherapy has worked in collaboration with rehabilitation organisations from around the world to deliver a ten-part webinar series exploring the role of rehabilitation in conflict and humanitarian settings.
The Rehabilitation in conflict series brings together expertise from across the rehabilitation and humanitarian sectors, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Doctors Without Borders, Humanity & Inclusion (HI), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and several international professional bodies including;
- the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS)
- the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM)
- the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)
- Interburns
- the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)
- the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP)
- the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
The series was informed by engagement with World Physiotherapy’s member organisations, including insights from the Lebanese Order of Physiotherapists, highlighting the urgent need for practical guidance and shared learning to support rehabilitation efforts in conflict-affected settings.
Designed for physiotherapists and other health professionals, the series provides clinical insight for those working in the field, including approaches to trauma and injury management, rehabilitation in low-resource environments, and supporting recovery across the care pathway.
Sessions explore key challenges such as working within fragmented health systems, managing displacement and increased demand, supporting mental health and long-term recovery, and strengthening coordination across multidisciplinary teams.
They also highlight the importance of preparedness and integrating rehabilitation early within emergency response - helping people affected by conflict to recover movement after injury, regain independence in daily life, and reduce long-term complications. As highlighted by clinicians working in these settings, even small, timely interventions can make a significant difference to long-term outcomes.
Speakers include experts working directly in conflict-affected settings, sharing practical insights from their experience delivering care in complex environments, including across the Palestinian territories.
Each webinar is led by a specialised partner organisation, with topics including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputation, burns and fractures, peripheral nerve injury, communication and swallowing challenges, and pain management in rehabilitation. An expert panel featuring WHO, MSF, HI and ICRC also share knowledge and insight from in the field.
The webinars are being delivered online via Zoom at 16:00 UTC/19:00 EEST, with live Arabic interpretation and Farsi/Persian translation available. Sessions are also streamed on YouTube to support wider access, and recordings will be made available.
| Date | Topic | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 2 April | Rehabilitation in conflict | WHO |
| Thu 9 April | Expert panel discussion – top tips | WHO, MSF, HI, ICRC |
| Mon 20 April | Spinal cord injury in conflict | ISCoS |
| Mon 27 April | Traumatic brain injury in conflict | ISPRM |
| Mon 4 May | Amputation in conflict | ISPO |
| Mon 11 May | Burns in conflict | Interburns |
| Wed 13 May | Fracture in conflict | World Physiotherapy |
| Thu 21 May | Peripheral nerve injury in conflict | WFOT |
| Mon 25 May | Communication and swallowing challenges in conflict | IALP |
| Mon 1 June | Pain management in rehabilitation | IASP |
Registrants will receive joining details via email ahead of each webinar.
Watch recordings of previous sessions
Through this collaborative series, World Physiotherapy is supporting knowledge sharing and helping to enable a more consistent and cohesive approach to rehabilitation in emergency contexts.
