Kidney Week 2025 Annual Meeting-Disaster and Humanitarian Emergencies: Ways the Nephrology Team Can Best Manage a Crisis

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session focuses on how disasters and humanitarian crises uniquely endanger people with kidney disease because dialysis, transplantation, medications, water, power, staffing, and supply chains are highly infrastructure-dependent. Speakers describe the growing frequency of natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes) and man‑made crises (conflict, economic collapse) and how these events force unavoidable “standards of care” compromises (shorter/less frequent dialysis, limited labs, medication substitutions). Examples included the Turkey/Syria earthquake, Sudan conflict, Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon’s economic collapse, and hurricanes and freezes affecting U.S. dialysis operations.<br /><br />A central theme is that professional nephrology societies can raise awareness and coordinate expertise but cannot move supplies without large humanitarian/logistics partners. To address this, ASN, ERA, and ISN formed the Kidney Support Initiative, defining geographic responsibilities, developing shared resources (guides, toolkits, contact networks), and working on data collection and ethical governance during crises. A key advancement is a memorandum of understanding with Direct Relief to operationalize aid, including defining “kidney kits” and essential medication lists.<br /><br />Operational guidance emphasizes preparedness and communication: activate emergency plans, identify the cause and scope of water/supply disruptions, maintain clear frequent updates for patients and stakeholders (including transport and municipalities), and conduct after‑action reviews. For predictable disasters, pre‑emptive dialysis and evacuation can reduce harm. The government role is illustrated through U.S. responses after Katrina (KCER), Sandy, and COVID‑19 (CRRT shortages and vaccine prioritization), highlighting the value—and difficulty—of aligning with public agencies amid competing priorities. The discussion underscores Gaza as an especially challenging scenario where access constraints severely limit intervention.

Asset Subtitle

Moderator(s): Marie Philipneri, Suzanne Watnick

Presentation(s):

Global International Response to Humanitarian Emergencies - Ali Abu-Alfa
Nephrology Teams' Response to Natural Disasters - Mehmet Sukru Sever
Interruption of Dialysis Supplies and Water Flow: How Should the Nephrology Team Respond? - Sarrah Johnson
Support During a Crisis: Keys to Working with Governmental and Community Agencies - Jeffrey Silberzweig

ASN thanks the ASN Emergency Preparedness and Response Steering Committee for assistance with this session.

Meta Tag

Date 11/6/2025

Pathway 1 Dialysis

Pathway 2 CKD Non-Dialysis

Session ID 506836

Keywords

disaster nephrology

humanitarian crises

kidney disease vulnerability

dialysis infrastructure dependence

kidney transplantation continuity

dialysis water and power outages

supply chain disruption

crisis standards of care

dialysis rationing

nephrology society coordination

Kidney Support Initiative (KSI)

ASN ERA ISN collaboration

Direct Relief memorandum of understanding

kidney kits and essential medications

emergency preparedness and patient communication