Disaster Responses: Psychosocial Support not Optional!
Abstract
Whenever there are disasters, conflicts and health emergencies, Psychosocial Support (PS) becomes a core component of humanitarian response. Disaster is described as a disruptive and/or destructed event causing loss of life, property, injuries and damage to communities. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness about disaster preparedness, response and recovery including the best practice in PS following disasters and traumatic events. The World Health Organization and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have increasingly recognized the important dimension for immediate and long-term disaster response. Since 1993, the International Federation Reference Centre has worked to improve the psychological
well-being of beneficiaries, staff and volunteers. The psychosocial support is a proven approach to help affected people during and after the crisis based on the principle of “DO NO Harm”. It builds people capacity to recover by helping them identify their immediate needs, own strengths and abilities to cope with crisis. The literature
shows that people who believe in their abilities to cope can predict the outcomes. Furthermore, people who received PS experienced sense of hope, feeling, safe, calm, self-confident and socially connected.
Keywords: Disaster, Psychosocial support, Humanitarian, Psychological First Aid
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