When facing a situation involving mass casualties, we must consider the choices we have as individuals and as communities. The range of opportunity and privilege across the world is vast. Set against the background of natural and manmade disasters, how do we provide the right care at the right time for those in need? How can we share our collaborative knowledge?.

The recognition of the dignity of those in need is the first step.

Relationship building in the time of non-disaster leads to mutual understanding, facilitating care. Medicine brings science and experience into the art of clinical problem-solving. Disaster situations require rapid solutions based on prior planning, communicated with the understanding that optimal outcomes depend upon relationships based on respect, sharing knowledge of the local environmental resources, coupled with clinical care.