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This report, which appears on this site with the permission of the copyright holder, presents the work of psychologists working with survivors in the first days after the Tsunami. The main sections are: Background Information; Preparation within the Department; Dates of Intervention; Process of Intervention; Individual Sessions; Group Sessions; Children at the Relief Camp; Sessions with the Children; Training of Lay Counselors; Outcome; Observations; Recommendations; and Members of the Team.
PSP Guidelines To Provide Psychosocial Support For Persons Affected Due To Tsunami Disaster
Compiled by the Psychosocial Support Programme of the IWTHI Trust, the main sections of this article are: Introduction; Suggestions for Supporting Psychosocial Wellbeing and Mental Health; Suggestions for People Working in Tsunami-affected Areas and in Refugee Camps; and Promoting Psychosocial Wellbeing and Mental Health.
Psychosocial Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster: What You Can Do Right Now to Support Wellbeing
Prepared by Psychosocial Support Programme and National Council for Mental Health, Sahanaya in collaboration with Dr. Jagath Bandara and Dr. Mahesh Rajasuriya from the College of Psychiatrists, Colombo, this document presents a clear set of what interventions are likely to be helpful and what interventions are likely to be counterproductive.
Mental health assistance to the populations affected by the Tsunami in Asia
Prepared by the World Health Organization, this document provides general principles for meeting the psychological needs of Tsunami survivors.
Saving the "Tsunami Generation"
UNICEF's outline of steps to respond to the needs of children affected by the Tsunami.
Tsunami Psychological Help for Trauma Victims
A brief discussion by Dr. Martin Winkler.
American Psychiatric Association statement on the Tsunami (a pdf file)
This statement emphasizes: "It is important for health care providers and others to avoid defining as pathological normal stress responses in disaster situations. Many of these reactions are transient and may resolve."
U.S. Centers for Disease Control: Public Health Response for Tsunami Recovery
This CDC document describes how: "Mental health of those directly affected by the crisis or responding as a part of the recovery is of great concern, given the unprecedented scope of the disaster. CDC and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are collaborating in a monumental interagency effort to support national responders and relief workers from other agencies in their humanitarian efforts."
Interim Guidance for Health-Care Professionals Advising Travelers to Tsunami-Affected Areas
This CDC web page provides information to "health-care professionals who assess travelers going to areas affected by recent earthquakes and tsunamis, about current health risks in those areas and recommended vaccines and other measures to minimize infection or injury in travelers."
Lessons from Previous Crises for the Tsunami Response
The Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) describes this document: "Humanitarian interventions in response to natural disasters generally mitigate against the overall impact to local populations. However, experience has shown that failing to draw on lessons learned from previous crises and to adapt to the contexts and circumstances of the local situation, detracts from making the optimal impact to the lives of those affected."
ReliefWeb is the global hub for time-critical humanitarian information on Complex Emergencies and Natural Disasters. "ReliefWeb disseminates timely, reliable and relevant humanitarian information by updating its web site around the clock."
South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Blog
A blog presenting emerging news and information about volunteers, resources, etc.
A blog presenting emerging information about volunteers, relief efforts, etc., in India.
A web site presenting comprehensive information about the Tsunami and relief work in the A & N Islands.
Tsunami Disaster in Malaysia and Thailand
A blog presenting emerging information about the disaster and efforts to help the survivors in Malaysia and Thailand.
A blog presenting emerging information about the situation and needs of tsunami survivors in Aceh & North Sumatra.
World Health Organization Tsunami Web Site
This site states: " Persons affected by a catastrophe like the tsunami of 26 December are exposed to extreme stressors (personal danger, loss of kin, etc.) that constitute risk factors for their mental health. Most people hit by this disaster live in resource-poor countries, and that is where WHO focuses most of its efforts. Mental health concerns should complement humanitarian work in the first days of the aftermath and not unduly burden relief operations. In the acute relief phase, it is advisable to conduct few social/medical actions so that there will be little interference with responses to vital needs such as food, shelter and control of communicable diseases. The following guidelines should be useful in determining appropriate responses [list of guidelines].... More specific mental health activities should be initiated during week three/four, once life-saving operations are already underway."