ESDA was created to foster the development of emergency care internationally, with the understanding that working with local partners to change systems leads to lasting change. The directors bring experience working in various LMIC settings including Bangladesh, Tanzania, Vanuatu, India, Uganda, Ghana and The Gambia.

The directors came together while working at a major trauma centre in Melbourne, Australia and conceived ESDA as a vehicle to support sustainable, systems development projects in emergency care.

The goal of ESDA is initially to support The Gambia Emergency and Trauma Care Collaboration with Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, then expanding to support projects both regionally in West Africa, and more broadly based on their capacity to affect improvement in the care of the injured in LMICs.

While consisting of Australian clinicians, ESDA aims to transition projects to local ownership as soon as they become sustainable, transitioning to a mentoring and support role.