Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Depiction of Health 2008-9058 17 2 2026 06 20 New Technologies for Seeking Help and Protecting Vulnerable Groups from Disasters 119 124 10.34172/doh.2026.10 EN Leila Mohammadinia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3665-0286 Zeinab Mohammadzadeh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2305-2802 EDITORIAL 10.34172/doh.2026.10 2025 08 03 2025 12 18 Introduction Disasters and emergencies—including climate change, geopolitical instabilities, and the rising occurrence of both natural and man-made disasters—have long been integral to human history. However, in recent decades, there has been a notable increase in their frequency and intensity worldwide (1). Among those most affected are vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, low-income communities, and marginalized groups, who face disproportionate risks during emergencies (2, 3). Emerging technologies offer remarkable opportunities to address these vulnerabilities; however, their implementation is often accompanied by significant ethical, logistical, and structural challenges (4). This editorial aims to explore the impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, drones, and blockchain in supporting vulnerable populations, highlighting both the potential benefits and the key challenges associated with their adoption. <center> <img alt="" src="/images/hmrc/new-technology-en.JPG" width="75%" /></center>