The National Emergencies Trust organised an event recently with Lucy Easthope, author of “When the Dust Settles”. The event gathered survivors of natural disasters and emergencies to share their experiences and challenges. The speakers included flood survivor and recovery expert Heather Shepherd, 7/7 London Bombings survivor Thelma Stober, Westminster Bridge Attack survivor Travis Frain, and Dr Cath Hill, who survived the Manchester Arena Attack along with her son. They shared their experiences and insights on how to better respond to disasters. The panellists included Lord Toby Harris, Chair, National Preparedness Commission, and they offered their perspectives on how to provide more support to those affected by disasters. They emphasised the importance of focusing on the needs of survivors and collaborating to create resilient communities. Recognising that learning directly from survivors’ experiences is crucial to investing in preventative measures to inform better disaster responses in future.