CEMEC Inaugurates the 2024 International Mission Series
Sharing Disaster Medicine Knowledge and Experiences between Europe and South-East Asia january 2-6 2024
CEMEC Inaugurates the 2024 International Mission Series: Sharing Disaster Medicine Knowledge and Experiences between Europe and South-East AsiaThe European Centre for Disaster Medicine (CEMEC) successfully completed its inaugural international visit in 2024 to South-East Asia. This region, positioned between the Pacific and Indian Oceans and marked by seismic activity, faces a spectrum of natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and other calamities.
The recent seismic event on January 1 in Japan, where an earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck the Noto Peninsula, causing 236 fatalities, 22 missing persons, and nearly 1,300 injuries, was particularly motivating for this mission. It emphasized, in fact, the critical need for international cooperation to refine response protocols.
CEMEC's primary objective during this visit was to comprehend the distinctive challenges encountered by South-East Asian nations in emergency scenarios and facilitate a reciprocal exchange of knowledge and expertise.
The itinerary included bilateral discussions held in Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, where CEMEC engaged in substantive dialogues with local bodies and medical institutions.
Notably, the meeting between the European Centre for Disaster Medicine and the Korean SCH Disaster Medicine Centre led to the agreement to establish a yearly Europe-Asia conference. This conference aims to serve as a platform for experts and practitioners to share insights and best practices in the realm of emergency medicine. Additionally, a decision was made to create joint educational programs and training modules to enhance the proficiency of medical professionals in responding adeptly to emergencies.
This visit represented a crucial moment in fostering international collaboration to reinforce resilience and preparedness in the face of natural disasters. CEMEC's commitment to creating enduring partnerships and facilitating the exchange of knowledge reflects a collaborative effort in emergency medicine with the ultimate objective of mitigating the impact of disasters and preserving lives on a global scale.