5 Lessons in Emergency Health Response

Anne, one of CMA’s co-founders, was there from the very beginning, when CMA was established in response to a health emergency on Lesvos island, Greece.

In 2020, the old Moria refugee camp burned down, leaving thousands of people without access to health care overnight. Within days, CMA was set up to help meet these urgent health needs – and continues its work today.

Since then, Anne has worked in emergency health contexts around the world. From her experiences, she shares five key lessons for effective and humane health responses:

1. Safety is Non-Negotiable

Always ensure the safety of your team, patients, and community. Without a secure environment, care can’t be delivered effectively. Preparedness through training, planning, and risk assessments is key.

2. Assess, Adapt & Act

Emergencies are fluid. Rapid assessments, flexible planning, and timely action make the difference between a delayed response and life-saving care.

3. Logistics at the Core

No matter how skilled your team is, without reliable logistics – from medicines and equipment to power and water – a response cannot function. Prioritise strong supply chains and operational support.

4. Protect Your Responders

Emergency response is demanding and often traumatic. Supporting the mental and physical health of responders is critical to sustaining quality care and preventing burnout.

5. Engage the Community

Communities are not passive recipients of aid. They hold the knowledge, networks, and strengths that make any response more effective. Engage them meaningfully from the start.