A study of social workers' involvement in the relief and reconstruction efforts following the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake1

Abstract

This study explores social workers' involvement in the relief and reconstruction efforts that followed the Wenchuan earthquake. Two surveys were conducted nine months after the earthquake to determine the views of both earthquake victims and social workers themselves on the efficacy of the social workers' involvement in post-disaster relief and reconstruction. In addition, 26 social workers were interviewed regarding the problems and difficulties they encountered during disaster assistance. It was found that social workers perform various services in post-disaster relief and reconstruction, and that social workers encounter many difficulties in their efforts to provide disaster assistance. Based on the research findings, recommendations are provided for social work development in mainland China.