The roots of physiotherapy can be traced back to the early 20th century when physiotherapists were involved in the rehabilitation of people affected by war and illness.
Physiotherapists continue to be involved in these situations and are often called on to be part of a humanitarian response. This could include providing support to people in conflict-affected parts of the world, being part of humanitarian response to a natural disaster, or working with people affected by pandemics.
We can advocate to make sure physiotherapists have access to appropriate equipment to work safely and effectively.
Published report on "the role of physiotherapists in disaster management" (2016), which you can download as a PDF.
Clinical webinar programme: rehabilitation in earthquakes
This series of webinars will introduce rehabilitation professionals to the critical role of rehabilitation following earthquakes, and provide an outline of safe early rehabilitation in the management of key traumatic injuries.
The webinars are a collaborative effort between International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM), International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), and World Physiotherapy in support of those affected by the Myanmar earthquake.
Watch a recording of the webinar on 3 April 2025: rehabilitation in earthquakes
Watch a recording of the webinar on 7 April 2025: nerve injury in earthquakes
Watch a recording of the webinar on 9 April 2025: fracture in earthquakes
Future webinars in the series include:
- 11 April 2025: spinal cord injuries in earthquakes
- 13 April 2025: traumatic brain injury in earthquakes
- 15 April 2025: amputation in earthquakes
- 21 April 2025: disability in emergencies
Recordings of each webinar will be shared here as soon as they become available.
Equipment donation
Many World Physiotherapy member organisations and their individual members are involved in programmes as donors or recipients of physiotherapy equipment in different countries.
We have developed an information note, with input from a range of stakeholders (including ADAPT, ICRC, WHO), to help donors and recipients find the best possible solution for the donation of physiotherapy equipment. You can download the information note as a PDF.
Key resources
Humanity and Inclusion
- Responding internationally to disasters: A do’s and don’ts guide for rehabilitation professionals
- Early rehabilitation in conflicts and disasters handbook
International Committee of the Red Cross
Physiotherapy and Refugee Education Project (PREP) and Persons with Refugee experience Education Project – Interprofessional (PREP-IP)
Find out about the project here
Follow on Twitter @ePREPGlobal
Course: an online self-paced course is open for learners. Interested learners can sign up for this free course that is hosted by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. The course is developed in collaboration with partners from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; HAN University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands; Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Duke University, USA; Centre for Migrant Health, Norway and Physiopedia. Experienced physiotherapists from all over the world have contributed to the course.
World Health Organization
Strengthening rehabilitation in emergencies
Emergency Medical Teams initiative
CLASSIFICATION AND MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TEAMS
Health and Migration Programme
Other
