<p style="text-align: justify;">The last several decades have recorded a dramatic increase in the frequency and severity of man-made and natural disasters. Climate change and technological developments create new sources of disaster. Population growth contributes to the severity of disasters’ impact, and emerging infectious diseases present new challenges to crisis managers. With globalization, society is becoming more complex and interdependent. Medical science and technological development have significantly increased the capabilities and capacities of the disaster response community over the last 20 years.</p>