Theoretically derived factors (preexisting child characteristics, trauma exposure, caregiver– child relationship, and school-based mental health programming) were examined as potential correlates of distress in children residing in the region closest to the epicenter of the 2010 Chilean earthquake. One year before the earthquake, 2nd-grade students who attended 9 schools that provide government-run mental health intervention… Read more
Natural Disasters
Dual disasters: humanitarian aid after the 2004 tsunami
This publication asks, what happens when a humanitarian crisis with political roots interacts with a humanitarian crisis induced by environmental disaster? Focusing on Sri Lanka and Indonesia, countries that were dealing with complex upheavals long before the 2004 tsunami struck, this publication shows how the storm shifted the goals of international aid, altered relations among and… Read more
Nepal experiences with assessments
After the 25 April earthquake in Nepal, it was decided early on that there would be no roll-out of a comprehensive, coordinated multi-sectoral assessment. At least 70 agencies, including UN, INGOs, local NGOs, and Government carried out a number of rapid assessments to identify the immediate needs – mostly using mixed methodology focused around key… Read more
Children and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: evaluation of UNICEF’s response in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives (2005-2008) – overall synthesis report
This report is a summary of an extensive evaluation undertaken by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) of its response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It focuses on Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives — countries that had the most serious damage and received 84 per cent of UNICEF tsunami country-level funds. The evaluation mainly… Read more
IASC framework on durable solutions for internally displaced persons
The specific needs and human rights concerns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) do not automatically disappear when a conflict or natural disaster ends. Nor do they fade away when people initially find safety from ongoing conflict or disaster. Rather, the displaced—whether they return to their homes, settle elsewhere in the country or try to integrate… Read more
Natural Disasters, Armed Conflict, and Public Health
The effects of armed conflict and natural disasters on global public health are widespread. Much progress has been made in the technical quality, normative coherence, and efficiency of the health care response. But action after the fact remains insufficient. In the years ahead, the international community must address the root causes of these crises. Natural… Read more
Rebuilding after catastrophe? A missed opportunity for health and social change
The recent Ebola death in Sierra Leone takes the official death toll from the epidemic up to 11,316, though this is likely an underestimation. The news comes just days after, on the 14th January 2016, the Ebola crisis in West Africa was declared to be over. Over the past 22 months Ebola has taken the… Read more
The Role of Education in Responding to Natural Disasters
The role for education in natural disaster management that appeared most frequently in the literature is teaching children risk reduction and management material. Children often spread learning to their families and communities and many believe that ‘educating a child is educating a family’. However, disaster preparedness education can be set up for communities also and… Read more
