Preparedness in Practice: Disaster Management Training for Medical Students

Introduction: The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) organizes the International Training on Disaster Management (ITDM) workshops to equip medical students and future health professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute effectively to disaster risk management and humanitarian response. This abstract reviews the outcomes of international training workshops conducted over three years, focusing on disaster risk reduction, international humanitarian law, and the right to health in disaster scenarios. Methods: Three-day international training sessions targeted medical students from various countries. Key outcomes were assessed through attendance records, post-training evaluations, and engagement in global networks and fieldwork opportunities. Results: Eight international trainings were conducted, engaging over 70 medical students from diverse backgrounds. Post training evaluations indicated a significant increase in participants’ understanding of disaster preparedness, response, and advocacy skills. Participants reported enhanced capabilities to engage in meaningful youth participation and contribute to policy discussions regarding health rights during emergencies. Furthermore, participants successfully joined international networks, leading to collaborative initiatives in disaster management. Conclusion: The ITDM workshops have equipped future health professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary for disaster response. Through this program, participants are empowered to advocate for ethical standards in health emergencies and strengthen global collaboration among youth in the medical field. Such outcomes demonstrate the urgent need to include education on disaster risks in the training curriculum for medical students worldwide, ultimately contributing to more resilient health systems in the face of disasters.