THE AFTERMATH:
THERE are many things that are known about disasters. Disasters do occur, they happen anytime and there will be more disasters in the future. Disasters do not discriminate people, no one is spared-the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the strong and weak, the healthy and the sick. It is common knowledge that disasters are not always predictable and not always preventable. However, the effects can be minimized through planning and being prepared.
Preparations are categorized into stages: Stage one consistS of response activities taken during and after the disaster providing immediate assistance to the casualties, minimize secondary damage, hasten and speed-up recovery.
Stage two- also known as the recovery phase. The objective is to return to normalcy as soon as possible. The period of recovery will vary from few hours to as long as several years.
Stage three is planning for the next disaster. To apply the lessons learned from the previous disaster to prevent and minimize the effects of future disasters. Children should be included in the planning by training health care providers to care for pediatric patients and be familiar with the unique characteristics of children ( a child is not a small adult), its special needs (foods, medicine-esp. dose, etc.) and in special circumstances (the possibility that children maybe separated from their parents. They maybe in school or health care center when and where the disaster happens).
Many of the environmental problems that occur after a disaster are typical and predictable. These problems include lack of clean water, food and power and the other hazards that were present before the event. The first step is mobilization and evacuation.
These displaced people will require basic necessities including the place to stay, water, food clothing, physical and mental health care. Assessment includes deciding who needs immediate care or referral for the physical injuries or emotional disturbances.
Providing comfort, information, support and meeting the immediate physical and emotional needs of affected individuals can help people cope with a highly stressful situation.
Attention should be paid to the basic needs of the disaster victims at the same time keeping the family together. The family needs to be given support, reassurance and guidance since most are in denial. Parents must remain calm and as supportive as possible. They should avoid mixing their own painful feelings about the disaster and as much as possible refrain from making comments that may hurt their children.
Children in shelter have special needs like special food (milk formula, solid food, etc.), clothing and diapers, sleeping accommodation such as cribs and special treatment to comfort, entertain or separate families with crying infants in order to respect others in the shelter who may be in deep thought and emotional strain and are disturb by the sounds of noisy children.
Help families avoid making any hasty major decision after the disaster until the confusion and anxiety have decreased and that the family routine has stabilized.
Owners who want to return to their homes or building after the disaster need to check for leaks, electrical power line connections, structural damage and other physical hazards. The place should be inspected during day and only flashlights should be used. Try to avoid candles or gas lanterns, which may cause or start fires.
Traumatized children suffer from decreased ability to participate in the normal activities of childhood. The emotional trauma from the calamity can lead the child to behavior problems. Assuring the parents that the clinical manifestations presented by the child are natural responses following traumatic experience from the disaster and that these responses are temporary and not a sign of permanent damage. Help the child integrate with less difficulty in school activities and in his relationship with classmates and friends.
Help the child learn the process on how to overcome the traumatic experience from the disaster without being overwhelmed by the scary thought of recurring and assuring the child that the process of healing will take time before he can get rid of the painful experience and feel safe again. Management of other behavioral and emotional problems such as depression, aggressive behavior, sexual acting out, rage, etc. may need referral for psychotherapy and the use of medications
Anybody exposed to a calamitous event can be affected emotionally. Some will experience “burn-out” feelings. Some will show signs of emotional disruptive behavior after responding to event involving disaster. Physicians involved in the recovery and rescue operations may also be affected emotionally often experiencing the feelings of helplessness as they see children struggle to overcome the emotional trauma of the disaster.
There are reports that even children of parents involved in the rescue operations during disaster will suffer post traumatic stress disorder because of anxiety and worry about their parents taking risky activities during rescue operations. (Disasters: Sugar, N.:Dev. Behav.Ped.3rd ed,1999) (To be continued).