Psychosocial and ethical response to disasters

Abstract

"Background

Although disasters occur on regular basis bringing death and destruction, managing disaster aftermath lacks evidence based approach, especially in developing countries. Authors of this paper were involved in various psychosocial and mental health work in Sri Lanka in the immediate aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.

Aims

This paper aimed to examine the post-tsunami disaster management in Sri Lanka. It aimed to focus on psychosocial and ethical response initiated by various stakeholder agencies while identifying gaps and future implications.

Methodology

A Strengths, Weaknesses, opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis were carried about using information gathered by the authors while conducting relief work in the post-disaster period.

Results

Sri Lanka did not have effective systems in place to deal with a large scale disaster, although the country has strong social mobilization capabilities along with sound health and public infrastructure. It also had numerous governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. Although the country did not have a disaster management policy or a national mental health policy at the time of the tsunami, these and other important policies were formulated in the aftermath. Disaster victim identification, effective psychosocial interventions and adaptation of an overarching public health approach in providing mental health care has been formulated. Effective research ethics framework has been established.

Conclusions

Ethically sound, culturally appropriate and feasible responses are a necessity in providing mental health and psychosocial care to survivors in disaster aftermath. This paper presents evidence from a developing world setting on effective short and long term disaster response"