In recent years, natural disasters have taken the spotlight more frequently than what we are used to. Following the article, natural disasters are “unpredictable” and “hard to control”, but can we do something to prepare ourselves for the disasters? This is where psychology makes its entrance, not just to ease individual suffering, but also in organizing and assembling the resources for the community as a whole, therefore ensuring the most effective measures to counteract the catastrophe.
The circumstances of natural disasters in the past years led to the development of the study “Helping Families and Communities Recover from Disaster: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina and its Aftermath” in which psychologists examine key “lessons learned” and offer recommendations and practical applications for better meeting the needs of children, families, and communities following disaster. Their research highlights the range of risks, resources, and factors relating to adaptations related to the aftermaths following disasters and emphasizes the role of the community in providing and enhancing resources. With this in mind, further research has taken part in emphasizing on how the needs of caregivers, children, and family are fulfilled after disasters. In their research findings, they realized how children needing the most attention when compared to adults. Among their most common needs, counseling, tutoring, and medical needs stand out. Due to the progress of natural disasters in the past years, psychologists and other field-related professionals are working on the development of new methods to manage disasters and their aftermaths.
https://www.apa.org/research/action/disaster