From helplessness to hope: Community resilience in the face of disasters
In the face of nature’s most formidable challenges, there exists a powerful force: the unwavering support of a community. Natural disasters have the ability to test limits of resilience in humans pushing not only individuals but an entire population to devastation. Yet together we see communities defying the odds and rebounding from disasters with strength and resilience. Communities share a sense of purpose and solidarity which help them not only withstand natural disasters but also thrive in the aftermath. These support networks have a profound impact on survival as they play a transformative role of community support in the face of natural disasters.
These disasters are majorly caused by climate change which is the result of environmental pollution. However, calamities like earthquakes are a natural phenomenon, there are several ways for them to be predicted which help communities to stay warned and best equipped to minimize the negative impact the disaster can confer.
Natural disasters include flooding, forest wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. Their intensity ranges from mild to extremely severe and may cause severe injuries, death, loss of housing and other necessities, health issues, social and economic destruction, environmental damage, shortage of resources, etc. The uninhabitable environment causes survival to become challenging for individuals and communities in the by-products of the disasters; negative effects of it can be environmental, physical ,economical and also psychological in nature.
Community resilience is the capability to bounce back and to use physical and economic resources effectively to aid recovery following exposure to hazards. (Paton,2001) In other words it refers to the ability of a community as a whole to recover from the repercussions of disasters. Together communities can be known to have strong resilience when they have a developed emergency response system, adequate medical help, appropriate transportation and infrastructure, unity and willingness to help. Immediate assistance is necessary to diminish the consequences. Food, water, shelter and other basic necessities should be made available when required. Emotional support is also required for the individuals and the communities to bounce back faster.
During the 16th August 2018 floods, the state of Kerala depicted strong community resilience; severe flooding caused about 483 deaths and 15 disappearances . One sixth of the total population had been affected by the floods caused as a result of extreme heavy rainfall. Local fishermen and volunteers used their boats to rescue stranded residents. Furthermore, the government worked with community-based organizations to create long term recovery plans. Many people were provided with appropriate help at the right time.
The 2010 earthquake in Haiti had a magnitude of 7.0 Mw causing an immense negative impact killing over 2,20,000 people. The survivors displayed resilience by forming self-help groups, clearing rubble and rebuilding homes. Non-governmental organizations and agencies provided resources and support giving them the ability to bounce back faster and reduce the adverse effect on the life of the survivors.
Community resilience in the context of natural disasters is the ability to prepare for hazards, adapt to changing conditions, withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. Other key steps include prevention, protection, response and recovery. Strong communities help , building trust, increasing co-operating and majorly bringing support during emergencies; the feeling of togetherness builds the willingness to help each other making surviving natural disasters slightly easier. A resilient community is one where people are connected to one another and work together in a way that helps them function well even during stress and trauma. They can adapt well to change in their environment.
Learned helplessness is an important theory introduced by Martin Seligman. It was discovered through physiological experiments done on animals. Learned helplessness is a phenomenon observed in both humans and other animals when they have been conditioned to expect pain, suffering, or discomfort without a way to escape it (cherry, 2017). It is not an innate trait but is conditioned through experiences. It occurs in individuals who have faced trauma such as natural disasters. It plays a major role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They express passive helpless behavior and even though resources are available they aren’t able to bounce back. Their poor mental strength makes it difficult to cope with the situation. People suffering from it are not able to escape the extreme stress. It creates a negative attitude and behavior and people may fail to function well. Ways to unlearn this include increasing self-awareness, to be optimistic, try cognitive therapy, etc.
The 2018 Kerala floods affected the psychological well-being of many individuals some of whom still live in fear and uncertainty. The floods developed learned helplessness in individuals. Research done showed that learned helplessness was high in those who were twice affected by the flood.
Community based support systems are vital to reduce repercussions of these natural disasters. For recovery after a natural disaster, firstly the communities’ immediate needs must be addressed. Financial aids and donations should be made available for those who need it. Legal assistance should also be provided for disaster related issues. Immediate medical help should be easily available to reduce death and treat critical patients. Intervention strategies should be placed during and after natural disasters. For providing psychological support, there are support groups available to cope with trauma and grief. Education about dealing with disasters is a necessity to train individuals to be able to help themselves and others during emergencies.
Developing countries like India have launched community-based disaster management (CBDM) strategies. Disaster preparedness plans are to involve communities in dealing with their own hazards. The three major sections are; identification of community units and preparation of community profiles, preparation of community maps showing vulnerable areas, resources and evacuation routes and preparation of task forces, committees and emergency response teams.
In times of natural disaster, we can see how communities are vital for survival. They help enduring the trauma and staying strong. The resilience collectively nurtured can help overcome the overwhelming forces of natural disasters. Community resilience helps rising above adversity. Although learned helplessness may play a negative role, empowering people through unity and unwavering support will help individuals and communities to thrive during the most difficult challenging times. What could we achieve in our lives if we embraced the power of community support as a guiding force in our everyday life instead of just in times of crisis?
References :
https://scholar.google.co.in/scholar?q=learned+helplessness+and+natural+disasters&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart#d=gs_qabs&t=1695563834384&u=%23p%3DNhYRDMHDJuwJ
https://positivepsychology.com/learned-helplessness-seligman-theory-depression-cure/
https://www.britannica.com/science/learned-helplessness
https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/natural-disasters-and-community-resilience-framework-support
These disasters are majorly caused by climate change which is the result of environmental pollution. However, calamities like earthquakes are a natural phenomenon, there are several ways for them to be predicted which help communities to stay warned and best equipped to minimize the negative impact the disaster can confer.
Natural disasters include flooding, forest wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. Their intensity ranges from mild to extremely severe and may cause severe injuries, death, loss of housing and other necessities, health issues, social and economic destruction, environmental damage, shortage of resources, etc. The uninhabitable environment causes survival to become challenging for individuals and communities in the by-products of the disasters; negative effects of it can be environmental, physical ,economical and also psychological in nature.
Community resilience is the capability to bounce back and to use physical and economic resources effectively to aid recovery following exposure to hazards. (Paton,2001) In other words it refers to the ability of a community as a whole to recover from the repercussions of disasters. Together communities can be known to have strong resilience when they have a developed emergency response system, adequate medical help, appropriate transportation and infrastructure, unity and willingness to help. Immediate assistance is necessary to diminish the consequences. Food, water, shelter and other basic necessities should be made available when required. Emotional support is also required for the individuals and the communities to bounce back faster.
During the 16th August 2018 floods, the state of Kerala depicted strong community resilience; severe flooding caused about 483 deaths and 15 disappearances . One sixth of the total population had been affected by the floods caused as a result of extreme heavy rainfall. Local fishermen and volunteers used their boats to rescue stranded residents. Furthermore, the government worked with community-based organizations to create long term recovery plans. Many people were provided with appropriate help at the right time.
The 2010 earthquake in Haiti had a magnitude of 7.0 Mw causing an immense negative impact killing over 2,20,000 people. The survivors displayed resilience by forming self-help groups, clearing rubble and rebuilding homes. Non-governmental organizations and agencies provided resources and support giving them the ability to bounce back faster and reduce the adverse effect on the life of the survivors.
Community resilience in the context of natural disasters is the ability to prepare for hazards, adapt to changing conditions, withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. Other key steps include prevention, protection, response and recovery. Strong communities help , building trust, increasing co-operating and majorly bringing support during emergencies; the feeling of togetherness builds the willingness to help each other making surviving natural disasters slightly easier. A resilient community is one where people are connected to one another and work together in a way that helps them function well even during stress and trauma. They can adapt well to change in their environment.
Learned helplessness is an important theory introduced by Martin Seligman. It was discovered through physiological experiments done on animals. Learned helplessness is a phenomenon observed in both humans and other animals when they have been conditioned to expect pain, suffering, or discomfort without a way to escape it (cherry, 2017). It is not an innate trait but is conditioned through experiences. It occurs in individuals who have faced trauma such as natural disasters. It plays a major role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They express passive helpless behavior and even though resources are available they aren’t able to bounce back. Their poor mental strength makes it difficult to cope with the situation. People suffering from it are not able to escape the extreme stress. It creates a negative attitude and behavior and people may fail to function well. Ways to unlearn this include increasing self-awareness, to be optimistic, try cognitive therapy, etc.
The 2018 Kerala floods affected the psychological well-being of many individuals some of whom still live in fear and uncertainty. The floods developed learned helplessness in individuals. Research done showed that learned helplessness was high in those who were twice affected by the flood.
Community based support systems are vital to reduce repercussions of these natural disasters. For recovery after a natural disaster, firstly the communities’ immediate needs must be addressed. Financial aids and donations should be made available for those who need it. Legal assistance should also be provided for disaster related issues. Immediate medical help should be easily available to reduce death and treat critical patients. Intervention strategies should be placed during and after natural disasters. For providing psychological support, there are support groups available to cope with trauma and grief. Education about dealing with disasters is a necessity to train individuals to be able to help themselves and others during emergencies.
Developing countries like India have launched community-based disaster management (CBDM) strategies. Disaster preparedness plans are to involve communities in dealing with their own hazards. The three major sections are; identification of community units and preparation of community profiles, preparation of community maps showing vulnerable areas, resources and evacuation routes and preparation of task forces, committees and emergency response teams.
In times of natural disaster, we can see how communities are vital for survival. They help enduring the trauma and staying strong. The resilience collectively nurtured can help overcome the overwhelming forces of natural disasters. Community resilience helps rising above adversity. Although learned helplessness may play a negative role, empowering people through unity and unwavering support will help individuals and communities to thrive during the most difficult challenging times. What could we achieve in our lives if we embraced the power of community support as a guiding force in our everyday life instead of just in times of crisis?
References :
https://scholar.google.co.in/scholar?q=learned+helplessness+and+natural+disasters&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart#d=gs_qabs&t=1695563834384&u=%23p%3DNhYRDMHDJuwJ
https://positivepsychology.com/learned-helplessness-seligman-theory-depression-cure/
https://www.britannica.com/science/learned-helplessness
https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/natural-disasters-and-community-resilience-framework-support
About the author :
Vrisha Jhaveri
Member at Psycreative Column
First-year student, B.Sc.Applied Psychology, SDSOS, NMIMS.
You can feel Vrisha's presence more on paper than in person. She's often lost in thought and uses her creativity to pen them down as a way to express her opinions and feelings. She's an avid reader and passionate about poetry and art. One of her biggest dreams is to have her work published for the world to read. She pours her heart into writing and knows it's a part of her no one can take away. She is studying Bsc Psychology with it being one of her favourite subjects .
Vrisha Jhaveri
Member at Psycreative Column
First-year student, B.Sc.Applied Psychology, SDSOS, NMIMS.
You can feel Vrisha's presence more on paper than in person. She's often lost in thought and uses her creativity to pen them down as a way to express her opinions and feelings. She's an avid reader and passionate about poetry and art. One of her biggest dreams is to have her work published for the world to read. She pours her heart into writing and knows it's a part of her no one can take away. She is studying Bsc Psychology with it being one of her favourite subjects .
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