Experiences of members of community-based, environmentally focused groups following the 2019–20 bushfires

It is well established that bushfires and other natural disasters have long term‐effects on the mental health of affected individuals and communities (Black Dog Institute, 2020). These effects can last for years as demonstrated following the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria, Australia: one fifth (21.9%) of the highest impacted communities reported mental health symptoms at the five year follow up (Gibbs et al. 2013).

Natural disaster prevalence and severity have been on the rise in Pakistan, yet, post-disaster recovery actions are still inadequately satisfying the human rights of the vulnerable groups. Current disaster response strategies are mostly geared towards short-term humanitarian aid, emergency relief instead of safeguarding and satisfying the basic rights like access to proper housing, health services, food security, inclusion and honor. The following objectives of this study are as follows: To investigate the degree to which social work practices during post-disaster relief and recovery in Pakistan integrate human rights principles. To examine advocacy functions of social workers preserving and advancing the rights of vulnerable groups of people affected by the disaster in Pakistan. To find out the institutional, policy level, and socio-cultural barriers that impede effective rights-based social work interventions in post-disaster settings. To recommend social work strategies that are human rights oriented and can be used to empower disaster relief and recovery efforts on vulnerable Pakistan citizens. The research design used in this study was a qualitative case study research design, in order to investigate the manner in which social work practices apply to the operationalization of human rights principles in the post disaster relief to the vulnerable members of the Pakistani population. The researcher was driven by an interpretivist research philosophy focusing on studying social reality based on the opinions and lived experiences of the participants. The study was carried out in some of the disaster-affected areas in Pakistan, especially in those areas which were affected by floods and other hazards caused by climate. The population of the study included social work practitioners, members of community who were impacted by the disaster, the local leaders, and the main stakeholders engaged in the process of post-disaster relief and recovery. Participants who were relevant to the study in their terms of knowledge and experience of post-disaster relief and social work advocacy were selected by use of a purposive sampling method. Interviews were semi-structured and focused group, where flexibility was provided, but the interviews adhered to the research question. Individual interviews in the form of semi-structured interviews that allowed in-depth examination of experiences, perceptions and advocacy of the participants, as well as the group discussion within the focus groups allowed the community members to reflect on participating in the community and protecting their rights. The thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data, according to the proposed framework. Informed consent, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and cultural sensitivity are some of the ethical principles that were highly adhered to during the study.

BackgroundDue to the complexity of health system reform in the post-conflict, post-disaster, and development settings, attempts to restructure health services are fraught with pitfalls that are often unanticipated because of inadequate preliminary assessments. Our proposed Integrated Multimodal Assessment – combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies – may provide a more robust mechanism for identifying programmatic priorities and critical barriers for appropriate and sustainable health system interventions. The purpose of this study is to describe this novel multimodal assessment using emergency medicine in post-conflict Serbia as a model.MethodsIntegrated quantitative and qualitative methodologies – system characterization and observation, focus group discussions, free-response questionnaires, and by-person factor analysis – were used to identify needs, problems, and potential barriers to the development of emergency medicine in Serbia. Participants included emergency and pre-hospital personnel from all emergency medical institutions in Belgrade.ResultsDemographic data indicate a loosely ordered network of part-time emergency departments supported by 24-hour pre-hospital services and an academic emergency center. Focus groups and questionnaires reveal significant impediments to delivery of care and suggest development priorities. By-person factor analysis subsequently divides respondents into distinctive attitudinal types, compares participant opinions, and identifies programmatic priorities.ConclusionsBy combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies, our Integrated Multimodal Assessment identified critical needs and barriers to emergency medicine development in Serbia and may serve as a model for future health system assessments in post-conflict, post-disaster, and development settings.

In postdisaster settings, health care providers encounter secondary surges of unmet primary care and mental health needs that evolve throughout disaster recovery phases. Whatever a community's predisaster adequacy of health care, postdisaster gaps are similar to those of any underserved region. We hypothesize that existing practice and evidence supporting medical homes and care coordination in primary care for the underserved provide a favorable model for improving health in disrupted communities. Elements of medical home services can be offered by local or temporary providers from outside the region, working out of mobile clinics early in disaster recovery. As repairs and reconstruction proceed, local services are restored over weeks or years. Throughout recovery, major tasks include identifying high-risk patients relative to the disaster and underlying health conditions, assisting displaced families as they transition through housing locations, and tracking their evolving access to health care and community services as they are restored. Postdisaster sources of financial assistance for the disaster-exposed population are often temporary and evolving, requiring up-to-date information to cover costs of care until stable services and insurance coverage are restored. Evidence to support disaster recovery health care improvement will require research funding and metrics on structures, processes, and outcomes of the disaster recovery medical home and care coordination, based on adaptation of standard validated methods to crisis environments.

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Immigrants suffer disproportionately from disasters because they have limited capacity to prepare for, respond to, or recover from a disaster. Unfortunately, planners and emergency managers are often inadequately trained or educated about the unique sociocultural needs and assets among immigrant groups. Hurricane Katrina exposed challenges to long-term recovery among Southeast Asian immigrants in Bayou La Batre (AL). We employ qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews, focus groups with immigrants, and site visits, to better understand the barriers to disaster recovery and to inform local, state, federal, and nongovernmental agencies on how to better prepare disaster plans that would improve disaster recovery for multiethnic, multicultural, immigrant populations. We find four significant categories of sociocultural barriers to disaster recovery for Southeast Asian immigrants in Bayou La Batre: 1) language, literacy, and communication; 2) cultural differences in help-seeking; 3) inability to navigate the disaster recovery bureaucracy; and 4) and lack of leadership. Despite these barriers to recovery, immigrant groups can also teach us about resiliency in the face of disaster. The levels of trust, cooperation, and collaboration within the ethnic immigrant community help to buffer the damaging effects during the response and recovery period.Takeaway for practice: Our study reveals that cultural competency among staff members engaged in preparedness, response, and recovery is essential for an effective disaster recovery process. Furthermore, engaging immigrant groups in long-term recovery requires trust and relationship building prior to a disaster. In doing so, more culturally appropriate and effective disaster recovery plans can be developed.

Postpandemic Psychological Recovery and Emergency Nursing: Creating a Narrative for Change

Food insecurity increases with human and natural disasters. Two tools were developed to assist effective food relief in Western Australia: the Food Stress Index (similar to rental stress, predicts the likelihood of household food insecurity by geographic location) and a basic and nutritious Food Basket Recommendation (that quantifies the types and amounts of food to meet dietary recommendations for different family types). This study aims to understand and compare the processes and impact of using these tools for organisations and their clients involved in emergency food assistance and/or disaster preparedness. A multiple case-study design analysed organisation’s use of the tools to assist the response to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the catastrophic bushfires in Australia. Qualitative interviews were conducted by telephone and Zoom (a cloud-based video conferencing service) in July–August 2020. A purposeful sample of eight interviewees representing seven cases (government, food relief and community organisations involved in emergency food assistance and/or disaster preparedness). Three themes emerged from the analysis, (1) organisations are confident users of the tools; (2) Collaborations were “Ready to Go” and (3) Food Stress Index is a “game changer”. Findings demonstrate the intrinsic value of the tools in the provision of emergency food relief under both normal circumstances and in times of increased need, i.e., COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlights the value and importance of ongoing intersectoral collaborations for food relief and food security (e.g., the Western Australian Food Relief Framework) and suggests that upscaling of the Food Stress Index and food baskets will increase the effectiveness of measures to address food insecurity in Australia.

As research on disasters in the tourism context matures, a more holistic understanding of how businesses and communities can recover is needed. Using the disorientation and reorientation framework, this study explores recovery as a place-based process. The perceptions and memories of key stakeholders of Binna Burra Lodge, which was affected by the 2019–2020 bushfires in Australia, are investigated and the analysis reveals two themes of disorientation and four of reorientation. It is proposed that various reorientation mechanisms can be deliberately activated to foster a smoother recovery process. Furthermore, this study shows that tourism-enabled social capital can assist disaster recovery in communities and that, through embracing traditional heritage, communities can not only deal with the loss but also prepare for future disasters.

Purpose – This paper aims to assess information technology (IT) managers' perception of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of using social networking sites (SNS) for group work at government organizations. According to the research, SNS provide considerable potential and can be a valuable technology for group work in government, public and/or non-profit organizations. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a Delphi technique to assess the SWOT from IT managers in government organizations in Oman, a developing Middle Eastern country. One of the main roles of IT managers is to develop a short-term and long-term IT strategy, and identify opportunities in new technologies. SWOT analysis is a very useful tool to strategically analyze and understand an organization's current position in any IT deployment. As an exploratory study, Delphi technique is utilized as it produces the most reliable consensus of a group of experts. Data was collected through a web-based questionnaire. ...

Challenges Recruiting and Retaining New Members of a Professional Nursing Organization

Local perspectives on humanitarian aid in Sri Lanka after the tsunami

Qualitative Research in CKD: How to Appraise and Interpret the Evidence

We trained local public health workers on disaster recovery roles and responsibilities by using a novel curriculum based on a threat and efficacy framework and a training-of-trainers approach. This study used qualitative data to assess changes in perceptions of efficacy toward Hurricane Sandy recovery and willingness to participate in future disaster recoveries. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to select trainers and trainees from participating local public health departments in jurisdictions impacted by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Two focus groups totaling 29 local public health workers were held in April and May of 2015. Focus group participants discussed the content and quality of the curriculum, training logistics, and their willingness to engage in future disaster recovery efforts. The training curriculum improved participants' understanding of and confidence in their disaster recovery work and related roles within their agencies (self-efficacy); increased their individual- and agency-level sense of role-importance in disaster recovery (response-efficacy); and enhanced their sense of their agencies' effective functioning in disaster recovery. Participants suggested further training customization and inclusion of other recovery agencies. Threat- and efficacy-based disaster recovery trainings show potential to increase public health workers' sense of efficacy and willingness to participate in recovery efforts. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:615-622).

Aim/Purpose: This study explores the challenges encountered and coping strategies employed by women survivors of Super Typhoon Rai in Cebu, Philippines, aiming to shed light on their lived experiences and resilience. Introduction/Background: Disasters, influenced by both regional and global factors, cause widespread destruction, economic disruption, and profound psychological and social impacts, particularly among women. Although disasters do not choose their victims, women are often more vulnerable during these events, yet their experiences and roles are frequently overlooked. Given the growing number of typhoons in the Philippines, more studies are needed to examine how individuals cope with their lives following each storm. In particular, exploring the experiences of women after disasters is essential, as it can provide valuable insights into their unique vulnerabilities and resilience. These factors have led to this study, which explored the lives of the victims of Typhoon Rai. Additionally, how participants managed to rebuild their lives after the typhoon was investigated. Methodology: A qualitative approach–specifically hermeneutic phenomenology–was adopted in this study to explore the lived experiences among women when facing disaster, particularly typhoons, and their efforts to rebuild after the disaster. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with ten women, five from a rural area and five from an urban area, all of whom had experienced this disaster. Purposive sampling was used to select them based on specific criteria related to their experiences. Semi-structured interviews were the primary method of data collection. Thematic analysis was then applied to identify key themes and produce a coherent report. The focus of the study was participants' perspectives, highlighting the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of their recovery. To ensure validity of the findings, the data was reviewed by a content analyst, and the participants were invited to validate the results. Findings: The challenges and coping strategies of Typhoon Rai survivors were examined, focusing on the disaster's aftermath and recovery. Key challenges included social chain disruptions of basic services such as food, water, and shelter, as well as psychological distress, and social fragmentation. Ineffective government disaster response exacerbated logistical challenges, while mental health struggles such as trauma and anxiety were widespread. Social fragmentation hindered recovery, as feelings of isolation and lack of community support prolonged the rebuilding process. In this regard, women survivors reported various coping strategies, with faith-based coping being central to emotional stability and hope. Cultivating an optimistic mindset, emotional catharsis through sharing struggles, and social support networks also played crucial roles in recovery. The study highlights the need for better disaster response systems, equitable resource distribution, and mental health support. Strengthening community bonds and promoting coping strategies like spirituality, optimism, and social support are essential for comprehensive recovery and disaster preparedness. Contribution/Impact on Society: This study provides new insights into the importance of comprehensive disaster management that addresses not only physical needs, but also psychological well-being, as well as gender-sensitive disaster management and recovery initiatives. This work addresses gaps in the existing literature and offers innovative perspectives that can stimulate further inquiry and discussion. This research may serve as a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners alike, and spark meaningful dialogue within the academic community. Recommendations: A multi-pronged approach is essential to support recovery efforts, starting with immediate interventions such as stress debriefing sessions and the mobilization of mental health professionals to provide psychological aid. Local government units must streamline disaster response systems to ensure the timely delivery of resources and financial assistance, with training for government workers to address the psychological needs of survivors for a compassionate response. Faith-based practices, such as prayer, meditation, and religious community involvement, can offer survivors emotional stability and resilience during difficult times. Cultivating an optimistic mindset is also crucial, as focusing on hope and small victories can foster perseverance. Emotional catharsis, allowing individuals to express their emotions, is important for relieving stress and promoting healing. Lastly, social support from family, friends, and the community plays a pivotal role, providing a sense of belonging and encouragement. By integrating these strategies, communities can build resilience and a stronger foundation for recovery. Research Limitation: The study's use of phenomenology, while effective for capturing personal experiences, limited the ability to make broad generalizations, as the findings were subjective and context-specific. With a small sample size of ten women, the study may not fully represent the broader population of Typhoon Rai survivors, and overlooks the experiences of men or other marginalized groups. Moreover, it was conducted in two areas of Cebu; thus, the findings may not reflect the diverse perspectives of other regions or countries affected by similar disasters. External factors, such as the ongoing recovery process and government responses, may have also influenced the findings, and participants’ emotional states during their interviews may have impacted their responses. Future Research: Future research could employ a broader focus to include men or LGBTQ+ individuals, as these groups may encounter distinct challenges during disaster recovery. While the study highlights women's experiences, it's crucial to explore how gender and sexual orientation affect coping strategies and recovery for other marginalized groups. Men may struggle with cultural expectations around masculinity, hindering their ability to express vulnerability or seek help. LGBTQ+ individuals may face discrimination, social stigma, or exclusion from support networks, potentially leading to heightened psychological distress during recovery.

Access to functional and clean toilets which maintain privacy and dignity and support girls’ Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) plays a crucial role to getting girls back to school post-disaster. This could also help in managing feelings of shame and disgust experienced when using toilets in schools in post disaster settings. In this paper, we report on our assessment of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools three-years post the 2018 multi-hazard event in Indonesia. We used a mixed-methods approach using visual observations, interviews with school principals, surveys with schoolgirls and focus group discussions with schoolgirls and teachers to understand the lived experiences of students using toilets at school. Our results highlight that across schools descriptive and injunctive social norms were supportive of littering, inadequate toilet facilities for girls to manage their menstruation and bullying and antisocial behaviour by opening toilet doors while the facilities were occupied. Based on these results, we developed two types of interventions, physical and behavioural, piloted in three schools to increase WASH and MHM awareness and the safety of sanitation facilities. Our interventions showed that approaches for WASH interventions in schools can only be designed if we understand the local barriers to carrying out interventions that integrate maintenance plans. We provide recommendations to support practitioners in mitigating risk and improving circumstances for girls in schools in Indonesia, which have the potential to address SDG 4 on inclusive and equitable education and SDG 5 on gender equality and girls’ empowerment.