MODULE 14: ROLE OF THERAPIST IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

DISASTER

→ serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society

→ involves widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts

→ exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using own resources

→ can be sudden (earthquake, typhoon); progressive (daily exposure to pollution)

→ human induced (we don’t prepare for them), socially constructed events → social processes → characterize societies

→ part of new normal

HAZARDS

→ risky part of the environment 

→ climate change + induces earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, etc 

→ ex: stone on top of mountain

VULNERABILITY

→ hazard becomes dangerous if its near a human settlement

→ ex: house at the bottom of mountain

DISASTER

→ occurs when risk is enacted

→ ex: stone falls on house

TOP 20 PROVINCES AT RISK

Albay Pampanga Ifugae Sorsogon  Biliran

Rizal Nothern samar  Cavite Masbate Laguna

Batangas Sulu Western samar Neuva ecija  tarlac

Pangasinan Basilan Metro manila Camarines sur La union

ECONOMIC

How to rebuild houses

SOCIAL

→ increases stress

→ lack of utilities and services

ENVIRONMENTAL

→ damage to infrastructure

SEVERE DISABILITY AFTER DISASTERS

→ AT RISK: >65 y/o, employed students, not living in their households, have 1+ health conditions, moderate or very poor 

→ DISRUPTION OF ROUTINES: missing children, displaced support devices 

→ restricted by environmental barriers 

→ threat of financial and personal loss 

→ predominance of fear, helplessness, and loss of confidence

MENTAL HEALTH

______ effects of disaster often last longer than physical manifestations

EMOTIONAL

Shock, anger, despair, grief, terror

COGNITIVE

Impaired concentration, memory impairment, confusion, intrusive thoughts

INTERPERSONAL

Alienation, social withdrawal, increased conflict, vocational impairment, school impairment

PHYSICAL

Fatigue, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, hyperarousal, gastrointestinal problems

IMPACTS TO WOMEN

Physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological

IMPACTS TO ELDERLY

→ many older people are at high risk: separated from family, have physical disability, cut off from services, suffer physical and psychological distress, specific health and nutritional needs, risk abuse and neglect 

→ accomodations needed: restooms: no rails = fall, heavy things: can’t carry, maintenance meds, assistice devices, relief food: some are not ideal, lack of help

PWD STATISTICS

12% of the population

AGE BRACKETS

6% = 15-39 y/o

14% = 40-59 y/o

32% = 60+

SEX

9% = male 

15% = female

IMPAIRMENTS

41% = mobility

23% = seeing

14% = hearing 

10% = self care

HEALTH CONDITIONS

15% = vision problems

49% = back pain

40% = arthritis 

36% = hypertension

31% = sleep problems

IMPACTS TO PWD

→ PWDs are 2-4x → perish in disasters

→ visual, auditory, intellectual, mobility limitations → lack of information → vulnerability 

→ rescue, relief, and rehabilitation often leave out PWD 

→ psychological trauma

→ increase in number of PWDs

→ inaccessibility of utilities

IMPACTS TO CHILDREN

→ physical 

→ emotional

→ spiritual 

→ psychological 

→ possible behavior changes during disasters in 3-0 y/o: crying, anxious clinging, tantrums, changes in eating sleeping patterns, separation fears, startling easily 

→ STATISTICS: child PWD: 1 in every 5 (20%)

IMPACTS TO RELIEF WORKERS

→ physical exhaustion 

→ increased risk to sickness

→ risk in developing compassion fatigue

SENDAI FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 2015-2030 EXPECTED OUTCOME

The goal is to significantly reduce disaster risks and losses in lives, livelihoods, health, and economic, physical, social, cultural, and environmental assets.

SENDAI FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 2015-2030 GOAL

Prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk through the implementation of integrated and inclusive measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness

 = strengthen resilience

RA 10121

NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

→ RISK FACTORS: hazards, exposures, vulnerabilities, capacities 

→ Mainstreaming DRR and CCA 

→ in planning and implementation

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

→ plan, monitor, mitigate

→ relocate, evaluate

POSSIBLE BEHAVIOR CHANGES 0-3 YEARS

crying	Anxious, clinging to caregivers	Increased temper tantrums
Changes in eating and sleeping patterns	Separation fears	Startling easily

DISASTER INTERVENTIONOLD MODEL

recovery and reconstruction only

DISASTER INTERVENTION NEW MODEL

includes preparedness

DISASTER INTERVENTION

MITIGATION

PREPAREDNESS

PREPAREDNESS STRATEGIES

SUGGESTED CONTENTS OF AN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVAL KIT

PARTICIPATORY CAPACITY BUILDING

ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY

MITIGATION

→ action taken to permanently eliminate or reduce long term risk to life, property, function from hazards

→ = prevention 

→ measures designed to prevent a natural phenomenon 

→ warning signals 

→ structural or non-structural

PREPAREDNESS

→ organize people around you 

→ identify resources

→ document the plan 

→ share the plan 

→ know who to contact 

→ evacuation plan at home

→ know first aid

→ know what else to do during a disaster

PREPAREDNESS STRATEGIES

→ participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment 

→ risk and resource mapping

→ Barangay Disaster Action Plan 

→ training

SUGGESTED CONTENTS OF AN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVAL KIT

→ water (1 liter per person)

→ first aid kit

→ First Aid Manual

→ canned food

→ nutritional food bars

→ blankets 

→ AM/FM Radio

→ spare batteries

→ flashlight, etc

PARTICIPATORY CAPACITY BUILDING

→ emergency preparedness kit for people with disabilities 

→ pet preparedness

Stockpiling

→ Use flash or lights over bells

→ learning materials

→ food

→ disaster-resistant or good storage

→ ADs

ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY

Creating wider bathrooms for wheelchair users; building safer bridges

DISASTERS ARE DIVINE INTERVENTIONS IN DISGUISE

→ How did Filipino therapists in the Philippines respond to past disasters?

ROLE OF THERAPISTS 

→ Do not become a victim

→ First responder 

→ Assist with medical services: triage

→ SLPs were instrumental in providing learning kits

THERAPISTS’ ROLE: DURING RESPONSE AND RELIEF

→ care for relief workers

→ Assist in psychosocial debriefing 

→ Provide supportive services 

→ Visit persons with disabilities

→ Reestablish routines 

HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOURSELF BEFORE VOLUNTEERING IN DISASTER MISSIONS

→ raise own level of social awareness 

• Involve in socio-civic activities 

• Equip yourself 

• Recognize your endpoint

• Support group

• Reduce your risks

SAFETY AWARENESS FOR VOLUNTEERS

→ safety starts with your demeanor

→ use common sense 

→ observe safety when traveling

→ know the culture

→ know the background 

→ build community relations 

→ be conscious of criminal activity 

→ never discuss politics

→ know self-defense

→ pray

5 WAYS COUNTRIES ENSURE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE NOT LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE DISASTER STRIKES

Disability inclusion in disaster risk reduction is critical	South Korea: KBS has a sign language interpreter on call for disaster-related breaking news	Jordan: national disability law into disaster risk planning, specialized service for the deaf
New South Wales, Australia: disability service providers advise on the needs of PWDs to inform the development of the community emergency preparedness plan	Brazil: developed a tactile map of high-risk areas in Braille → includes persons with visual impairment in DRR	Philippines, Cebu Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Network: advises government units on effective policy and practice for PWDs, prioritizing inclusion → equitable and effective DRR

South Korea

KBS has a sign language interpreter on call for disaster-related breaking news

Jordan

national disability law into disaster risk planning, specialized service for the deaf

New South Wales, Australia

 disability service providers advise on the needs of PWDs to inform the development of the community emergency preparedness plan 

Brazil

developed a tactile map of high-risk areas in Braille → includes persons with visual impairment in DRR

Philippines, Cebu Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Network

advises government units on effective policy and practice for PWDs, prioritizing inclusion → equitable and effective DRR