Nurses and Midwives in Action During Emergencies and Disasters : Case Studies from the Western Pacific Region

Nurses and midwives constitute the largest group of health workers who provide a wide range of services. In times of emergencies and disasters, nurses and midwives are also relied on to respond to situation by providing immediate, acute and long-term care to individuals, families and communities. Nursing and midwifery leaders from countries in the Western Pacific were invited to share their experiences in preparing for and responding to emergencies and disasters in their countries or abroad. This publication presents fifteen selected case studies which highlight the multitude of roles and contributions of nurses in different settings, in times of emergencies and disasters, and the analysis of community, health system and nursing and midwifery needs during times of ongoing health threats and disasters.