Australian Journal of Emergency Management (Vol. 41, No. 1, January 2026)

This issue celebrates the 40 years of publication of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management (AJEM). It examines the experiences and needs of pregnant women and new mothers during natural disasters in Australia. It aims to synthesise existing research and grey literature to understand how pregnancy and early motherhood shape vulnerability and response in emergency contexts, and to identify gaps in disaster planning and policy. The study looks at both physical and social dimensions, such as healthcare access, caregiving responsibilities, and environmental exposure, to highlight how these life stages are often overlooked in disaster preparedness and response frameworks. 

The review finds that pregnant women and new mothers face distinct and compounded challenges during disasters, including exposure to hazards like bushfire smoke, limited access to healthcare, physical constraints affecting mobility and evacuation, nutritional issues, and significant mental health impacts. New mothers, often the primary caregivers, experience additional burdens such as managing infant care during evacuations, lack of tailored emergency planning, and inadequate support in shelters. Cross-cutting issues like domestic violence and socio-economic disadvantage further intensify vulnerability. Overall, the study concludes that motherhood should be treated as an intersectional condition requiring targeted policies, better planning, and more research to address these specific needs effectively.