Abstract
The United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction defines disaster risk as the "likelihood of loss of life, injury or destruction and damage from a disaster in a given period, and a product of the complex interactions that generate conditions of exposure, vulnerability and hazard". Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States have been shown to have increased vulnerability and risk to disasters due to links between racism, vulnerability, and economic power, based on disadvantage related to different disaster stages: 1) reduced perception of personal disaster risk; 2) lack of preparedness; 3) reduced access and response to warning systems; 4) increased physical impacts due to substandard housing; 5) likelihood of poorer psychological outcomes; 6) cultural insensitivity on the part of emergency workers; 7) marginalization, lower socio-economic status, and less familiarity with support resources leading to protracted recovery; and 8) diminished standard of living, job loss, and exacerbated poverty during reconstruction and community rebuilding. Moreover, given that psychiatric morbidity is predictable in populations exposed to disasters, mental health and psychosocial support programs should increasingly become a standard part of a humanitarian response. In the crisis and immediate recovery phase of disasters, the focus should be on making survivors feel safe and giving them assistance in decreasing their anxiety by addressing their basic needs and welfare. So, it is critical that governmental institutions, business, and non-profit organizations proactively find mechanisms to work collaboratively and share resources. Special attention and extra resources must be directed towards vulnerable and marginalized populations. In this editorial we share lessons learned from experiencing disproportionate impact of health crisis and advocate for the notion that recovery efforts must address trauma at individual, interpersonal and community levels, and be based in a healing justice framework.
Highlights
With Hurricane Katrina, widespread assessment of disaster response and recovery efforts emphasized the lack of effective leadership within the Federal Emergency Management Agency which, under the authorization of the U.S Department of Homeland Security, coordinates communications across federal agencies in response to disasters
The impact that the virus will have on the city will inevitably conjure memories of Katrina for many New Orleanians
COVID-19 will affect every aspect of life
Summary
To respond to contacts initiated by survivors or to initiate contacts in a non-intrusive, compassionate, and helpful manner. To enhance immediate and ongoing safety and provide physical and emotional comfort. To identify immediate needs and concerns, gather additional information, and tailor Psychological First Aid interventions. To offer practical help to survivors in addressing immediate needs and concerns. To provide information about stress reactions and coping to reduce distress and promote adaptive functioning To link survivors with available services needed at the time or in the future. Provide education regarding coronavirus transmission and steps to prevent transmission and dispel myths b. Provide education regarding when to seek testing and/or hospital services. 3. Promote psychological safety through virtual/digital and social media; traditional media–print, radio, TV, and billboards: a. Teach calming and coping mechanisms for the general population and targeted populations (medical providers, teachers, new parents, CBOs) i. Prepare mental health systems (public and private) to provide culturally-proficient trauma-based services for children, adolescents, and adults
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