Community-Based Psychosocial Support is a Process and Tool for Protection of the Vulnerable Survivors of Disaster

Abstract

This chapter explores the issue of protection in the context of human rights for the survivors of natural disasters; the matter is quite deep-rooted in the context of forced displacement, refugee situation in human-made disaster and complex emergencies. Disaster survivors need protections as the event of disaster expose them to a dilapidated psychosocial condition, and breakdown of the social-ecological balance require a considerable amount of time and effort. The international guidelines, evolved through human rights declaration, humanitarian law, and concern over the human sufferings due to disasters and crisis, made various recommendations to promote the protection and create a conducive atmosphere for the vulnerable survivors. Community-based psychosocial support (CBPSS) is an important model in this direction to facilitate recovery and ensure well-being of the survivors. The significant features of the CBPSS models practiced in these disasters are divided into three dimensions, generic CBPSS, specific PSS strategies in CBPSS for vulnerable survivors, and specialized PSS for specific needs.