Embassy Disaster PreparednessSince the days following 9/11, Washington, DC, probably more than other communities in the nation, has stood at heightened alert for terrorist activities. WPS members have taken an active role in preparing themselves to serve our community should disaster - either manmade or natural- strike our region. As the nation's capital, Washington is home to a large contingent of foreign nationals, many of whom belong to the 180 embassies and legations in the city. In 2003, the WPS International Medical Graduate (IMG) group organized an outreach program to assist the diplomatic community. Our goal is to link a WPS member with the embassy of his/her native country. As we make connections with the embassies, we convey to them the need for and the value of a mental health component in addressing medical emergencies generated by a disaster. We can serve an educational need on the kinds of mental health problems that may follow a disaster in the immediate aftermath and the years that follow. WPS IMGs in the program have agreed to be available even on site at the embassy should disaster strike and to serve at the request and direction of the Ambassador. Participants have undergone disaster response training and will keep themselves current on the literature and available for additional training opportunities. At present, 33 embassies have agreed to be a part of our program. Where we are not able to find a WPS member from a particular country, we have matched that embassy with a psychiatrist who speaks the native language. Click here to see the list of contacts for the embassies. As the list of embassies participating grows, we invite WPS IMG members from other nations to join our program and commit to this important program and service to the diplomatic community. Also, we invite non IMG psychiatrists to join. We need more psychiatrists. If you are interested in the program or have questions, please contact Dr. Erminia Scarcella by email at [email protected]. WPS Disaster Preparedness Effort In order to demonstrate our concern for all members of the Washington, DC Community and especially to serve the Diplomatic Corps and its dependents in the event of a disaster, either natural or manmade, the Washington Psychiatric Society, led by its International Medical Graduate members, has determined that the following goals will guide its activities:
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