Psychosocial Care of Tsunami-Affected Populations

Overview

The Tsunami disaster has imposed a huge burden on the community not only in physical terms but also in terms of the psychological trauma they have suffered. A major challenge that faces communities and their governments is to cope with adverse physical and psychological conditions effectively. Although disaster-affected individuals do need and benefit from the material assistance and physical healthcare provided to them as part of relief work, they also need appropriate psychosocial care to help them cope better with the psychological trauma they undergo during and after the disaster. Psychological support should be available from the acute phase immediately after the disaster, and extend till the community is rehabilitated both physically and psychologically