Psychosocial support in field hospital Haiti

Disasters such as this earthquake in Haiti have severe psychosocial consequences. The emotional wounds may be less visible than the destruction of homes and physical infrastructure, but it often takes far longer to recover from the emotional and psychological impact than to overcome the material losses.

Psychosocial needs affect all other aspects of humanitarian work, such as shelter, food distribution and basic health care. Provision of traditional relief aid is, therefore, not enough. Neglecting emotional reactions may result in passive victims rather than active survivors. Early and adequate psychosocial support can prevent distress and suffering from developing into something more severe, and will help affected people cope better and reconcile themselves to everyday life.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Psychosocial
• support
• Red
• Cross
• Crescent
• disaster
• Haiti
• earthquake
• response

[redmarya]

Red Cross drawing SMILES on children's faces in Haiti.... feels good to be watching this... great work :)