THE HUMAN FACE OF DISASTER: BUILDING RESILIENCY

Geoscientists are critical in assessing the likelihood of earthquakes, floods, or volcanoes occurring; local disaster managers need to know what to plan for in order to reduce the probability or impacts of hazardous events. When a disaster does occur geoscientists often convene on the site to learn more about what happened. Data is collected, new insights are gained and debated, and the findings are published in peer-reviewed journals; and the life of the researcher continues. But often, in the dry technical jargon of science, the real story is forgotten.

Disasters affect people – they affect the young, the old, the poor and the rich. Disasters may injure some and kill others; they may damage or destroy homes and businesses and the community; but disasters also leave behind less physically visible impacts. While a home can be rebuilt within a year, the emotional impact may last for decades. What are the potential psychosocial or emotional health consequences? What are some of the key steps in helping communities accept, adapt and become stronger, healthier and more resilient? And how can geoscientists assist in this rebuilding process?

The guiding principles for the International Declaration of Psychosocial Rights were signed and adopted at the 2009 World Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine and, based on these principles, this presentation will provide some concrete examples of how geoscientists can collaborate with local decision makers to enhance local capacity for short, medium and long term recovery. The presentation will conclude with six tips on how geoscientists can enhance their own resiliency in order to continue to help find solutions to minimize the destructive impacts of disasters.