Often in the aftermath of
a natural disaster, particularly in disaster-prone areas, communities
are so brave and resilient that it may appear on the surface
that little or no psychological damage has been done to affected
populations. In the case of the tsunami emergency, however,
where so many lives were lost and so many people displaced,
it has become clear to Red Cross Red Crescent psycho-social
support teams that many of the scars borne by people caught
up in the disaster are much psychological as physical, and much
can be done to assist people in this regard.
Many people in tsunami-affected
communities are terrified of the sea as a result of the disaster.
In many cases the ocean was life-blood of people’s economies
before the disaster, and also a place where children swam
and played. Getting children to share their stories of that
terrible day, and put them down on paper, is considered an
excellent first step in the psychological healing process.
Red Cross Red Crescent psycho-social teams have spent considerable
efforts encouraging children to begin talking, drawing and
playing.
Photo: International Federation (p12726)
Of course, as many adults
as children bear the psychological scars of living through
such a devastating natural disaster. Many people have lost
spouses, siblings, extended family members, children, and
friends. Many are struggling to recover from serious injuries.
As a result, the psycho-social programs undertaken by Red
Cross Red Crescent are seen as every bit as important as the
programs which provide for the physical needs of tsunami-affected
populations.
Photo: International Federation (p12963)
Tsunami-affected people
are gradually beginning to trust the sea again, but after
what communities have witnessed, and continue to live through,
the psycho-social component of Red Cross Red Crescent recovery
work is anticipated to take years. It is only with consistent,
long-lasting psycho-social support that communities can expect
to move forward with their lives.
Photo: International Federation (p12724)
News
Video
resources
05/04/2008
- Indonesia
Learning to face the tidal wave More than 2,500 people rush down the main street, running to save their lives as a five metre tidal wave looms large over their coastal community. Early warning sirens blare and dozens of women and children cry and yell in confusion. Many in the panicked crowd shoulder the valued household items they could grab before wave rushed through their homes. Forty five people died and hundreds more were injured.
Disaster management
