When Disaster Strikes: Dealing With the Aftermath

Man was designed by nature to overcome difficulties. Over time, space and age, mankind has evolved to ensure its survival in a world that is constantly changing. These changes include some very basic aspects like climate change, population change and other purely physical changes. Survival of the fittest really does matter in terms of mankind surviving world history. One of our more primary concerns in the modern world is climate change and how it is affecting everything around us. Climactic changes include the much used and dreaded term, global warming and the Nano-effect, which refers to the change in the intensity and duration of different seasons around the world. For a long time now, man's concern has been to conserve energy and provide sustainable living solutions.

Even as we look for these solutions, we are faced with increased natural disasters every year, all over the world. The good thing is that over time science and technology have advanced so much that the first world can now predict and pre-plan for natural disasters. Predicting disasters is helpful in the sense that it helps nations pre-plan and post-plans their course of action. Pre-planning involves preparing for the disaster, collecting supplies and protecting ourselves from the direct effects of the natural disaster. Post-planning involves dealing with the physical, emotional and psychological aftermath of disasters. While many people may not believe it, the aftermath of a disaster, even after pre-planning, leaves massive emotional and psychological scars on the victims. Dealing with all these issues is very important to restore functionality and efficacy in any society.

When we talk about the physical aftermath of a natural disaster or a civil war, the first thing that comes to mind is humanitarian aid. UNHCR and other organizations organize and deploy care at massive scales after a disaster and have ready supplies of supplies such as tarpaulins, tents, sleeping bags, medical kits, repair kits, etc. These supplies are absolute necessary to ensure survival of any victim and they are manufactured worldwide at a set standard that ensures quality products. There are many organizations such as Alpinter and NRS-International that manufacture these supplies and also distribute them. The goal of these organizations is to provide the best humanitarian aid as well as the most affordable prices.

Dealing with the physical aftermath of a disaster is not simple but it is simpler than dealing with the emotional and psychological aftermath. While is relatively easier to help people with rehabilitation, the psychological rehabilitation could take a lot more time. After a disaster, most people suffer from PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which allows them flashbacks of the event itself, reality distortions and anxiety. People report not feeling safe again in their own homes or cities and having trouble adjusting to a fully functional lifestyle. While problems of the physical and geographical nature are dealt with by organizations like Alpinter, such problems require the attention of experts trained in dealing with emotional trauma. Hopefully, one day emotional trauma will also be considered as important and debilitating as physical trauma.