The National Diabetes Services Scheme Disaster Planning and Management National Development Program will develop a coordinated approach that supports people with diabetes, emergency services and the not-for-profit sector, with appropriate advice on preparation and response during a natural disaster, as well as for the recovery and reconstruction phases.

 Chronic diseases are exacerbated by the conditions of natural disasters. Diabetes is a serious condition, which needs to be well managed to prevent a myriad of complications including macrovascular and microvascular complications, mental health problems and other longer term health consequences which requires ongoing daily self-management. In the event and disruption of a natural disaster, an unprepared person with diabetes may experience no or limited access to medical care, blood-glucose monitoring equipment, insulin and other injectable and oral diabetes medication, appropriate foot care or a supply of glucose. Research suggests that natural disasters affect people with diabetes more severely than a person without a chronic condition, with the potential for significant short and long term health consequences.  Daily self-management also underpins efforts to prevent and/or delay longer term health problems from diabetes.

 Despite there being a significant increase in morbidity and mortality in those with chronic conditions, the main focus in disaster response and recovery has been on acute medical conditions and first aid. Over recent years, there has been a shift to looking at the effects of natural disasters on chronic conditions in emergency planning.

 Investment in awareness raising campaigns and programs is an integral part of keeping people with diabetes out of the hospital system after a natural disaster. There are significant roll-on implications and costs that could be minimised by providing people with diabetes access to information and knowledge to assist them to be better prepared should they be faced with an unexpected event or natural disaster.