1
pre-incident phase
2
pre-alert phase
3
emergency phase
4
emergency intervention phase
5
non-emergency intervention phase
6
post-incident intervention phase I
7
post-incident phase II
8
post-incident phase III
Psychosocial support provided by the disaster management
4
4
16
23
21
16
12
8
Please note: no incident has occurred during this phase.
Please note: This phase usually runs in parallel to the pre-incident phase and describes measures and services still associated with the original event.
All measures fostering continuous prevention for the potentially affected population (e.g. education/information, risk assessment, inclusion of knowledgeable community members in planning process, strengthening self-efficacy).
Informing and alerting potentially needed agencies/services/specialists (e.g. the 'Disaster Resilience Manager', cf. Scope).
Identification of organisations (regular and voluntary) based on identified needs (the respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases), for appropriate provision of psychosocial support.
On-going identification/activation of organisations (regular, voluntary and/or spiritual depending on value systems) based on identified needs (the respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases), for appropriate provision of psychosocial support.
Coordinating preparation of potentially needed resources for acute phase (e.g. manpower, equipment, etc.).
Initial setting up of psychosocial support structures needed for acute and intermediate care.
Setting up of psychosocial support structures needed for acute and intermediate care (e.g. shelters, separate facilities for directly and indirectly affected, emergency personnel, disaster management, other independent groups such as crews, classes, etc.).
Coordinating and maintaining psychosocial structure needed for acute and intermediate care (e.g. shelters, separate facilities for directly affected and indirectly affected, emergency personnel, disaster management, other independent groups such as crews, classes, etc.).
Coordinating and maintaining psychosocial structure needed for longer-term care (e.g. facilities, evacuated population, communications, etc.).
Providing necessary and appropriate information or briefings to involved responders.
Briefing of respective psychosocial support unit(s) with necessary information.
On-going updates and briefing of respective psychosocial support unit(s) with necessary information.
On-going updates and briefings for respective psychosocial support unit(s) with necessary information.
On-going updates and briefings for respective psychosocial support and aftercare services (e.g. contact points/coordination centres) with necessary information.
Providing appropriate information to the public to promote preparedness and resilience/collective-efficacy (incl. press/media/social media/hotlines).
Assistance in fostering community resilience (collective-efficacy, involvement of cultural/spiritual practices).
Assistance in fostering community resilience (community involvement, fostering collective-efficacy, involvement of cultural/spiritual practices).
Assistance in fostering community resilience (community involvement, fostering collective-efficacy, involvement of cultural/spiritual practices), if needed.
Creating satisfactory situation awareness for all units.
Maintaining satisfactory situation awareness for all units.
Maintaining satisfactory situation awareness for all units.
Managing cooperation between first responders and psychosocial units to facilitate rapid identification of affected persons and assessment of acute needs.
Maintaining cooperation between first responders and psychosocial support units to facilitate rapid identification of affected persons and assessment of acute needs.
Integrating psychosocial support unit(s) into existing structures (e.g. communication).
On-going integration of psychosocial support unit(s) into existing structures (e.g. communication).
Initial organisation of already available psychosocial support operatives to attend to those directly affected and not otherwise cared for (e.g. psychological first aid, protection, information, safe point, etc.). This should not compromise on-going missions.
Organising available psychosocial support operatives to proactively attend to those directly affected and not otherwise (on-site and off-site) cared for (e.g. psychological first aid, protection, information, transportation, safe point, etc.). This may include victims refusing to be helped or having suffered severe loss, etc.
Coordinating available psychosocial support operatives to proactively attend to those directly affected and not otherwise (on-site and off-site) cared for (e.g. psychological first aid, self-efficacy/resilience-building interventions, family reunifications, information, transportation). This may include victims refusing to get help, suffering severe loss, needing to identify dead victims or wanting to re-enter the incident zone, etc.
Initial organisation of already available psychosocial support operatives to attend to those indirectly affected that are already present at the site (e.g. psychological first aid, protection, information, safe point, etc.). This should not compromise on-going missions.
Organising available psychosocial support operatives to proactively attend to those indirectly affected on-site (e.g. psychological first aid, protection, information, transportation, fostering resilience/self-efficacy, safe point, etc.) This may include people having suffered severe loss.
Coordinating available psychosocial support operatives to proactively attend to those indirectly affected (e.g. psychological first aid, family reunifications, information, transportation, fostering resilience/self-efficacy) This may include people on-site and off-site (e.g. homes, hospitals, morgues) suffering severe loss, needing to identify dead victims or wanting to re-enter the incident zone, etc.
Initial organisation of already available psychosocial support operatives to attend to possible walk-in volunteers (incl. referral to volunteer coordination) or spectators that might otherwise compromise on-going missions.
Organising available psychosocial support operatives to proactively attend to possible walk-in volunteers (incl. referral to volunteer coordination), spectators or press that might otherwise compromise on-going missions.
Coordinating available psychosocial support operatives to proactively attend to possible walk-in volunteers (incl. referral to volunteer coordination), spectators or press that might otherwise compromise on-going missions.
Managing cooperation between medical units and psychosocial units (e.g. collection and recording of information, provision/division of assistance, aftercare for victims and their relatives).
Maintaining cooperation between medical and psychosocial support units (e.g. collection and recording of information, provision/division of assistance, aftercare for victims and their relatives).
Coordinating cooperation between medical and psychosocial support units for potential follow-up of victims and their relatives.
Assistance to organise additional support within existing structures (i.e. for operatives/units, logistics, etc.) to facilitate optimal working conditions under given circumstances (e.g. nutrition, space, breaks, rotation, security, etc.). This depends on the duration of the mission.
On-going assistance to organise additional support within existing structures (i.e. for operatives/units, logistics, etc.) to facilitate optimal working conditions under given circumstances (e.g. nutrition, space, breaks, hygiene, involvement of specialists, rotation, security, etc.). This depends on the duration of the mission.
Coordinate and assist to organise additional support to existing structures (i.e. for operatives/units, logistics, etc.) to facilitate optimal working conditions under given circumstances to maintain the protection from any factors that might compromise professionalism (e.g. nutrition, space, security, accommodation if needed, breaks, hygiene, involvement of specialists, rotation).
Coordinating initial psychosocial support for first responders if needed (either as part of existing internal psychosocial structures or externally). Use separate retreat areas.
Coordinating initial psychosocial support for first responders if needed (either as part of existing internal psychosocial structures or externally). Use separate retreat areas.
Coordinating support for emergency personnel, if needed (either as part of existing internal psychosocial structures or externally). Use separate retreat areas.
Mobilisation of needed psychosocial resources (i.e. psychosocial support units/potential back-up, material, facilities, etc.).
On-going mobilisation of needed psychosocial resources (i.e. psychosocial support units/potential back-up, material, facilities, etc.), if needed.
On-going organisation of needed psychosocial resources (e.g. psychosocial support units/potential back-up, material, facilities, etc.).
On-going organisation of needed longer-term resources (e.g. psychosocial support units/potential back-up, material, facilities, etc.).
Initial scaling of situation and requirements regarding psychosocial support.
On-going scaling of situation and structural requirement regarding psychosocial support.
Monitoring of psychosocial structural requirement analysis (for current situation and upcoming phases).
Monitoring of psychosocial structural requirement analysis (for current situation and upcoming phases).
Monitoring of psychosocial structural requirement analysis (for current situation and upcoming phases).
Initial collecting and recording of necessary information relevant for psychosocial support (e.g. number of directly and potentially indirectly affected people (e.g. place of residence, people with special needs, etc.).
On-going collecting and recording of necessary information relevant for psychosocial support (e.g. number of and potentially indirectly affected people (incl. special needs, country of residence, walk-in volunteers, etc.).
Management of affected population data in cooperation with other units/agencies.
Management of affected population data.
Management of affected population data.
Coordination of available psychosocial resources (i.e. provide structure, coordinate different providers, consider possible official/legal frameworks, plan mandates and tasks in light of existing plans, operational procedures and medical services).
On-going coordination of available psychosocial resources (i.e. provide structure, coordinate different providers, organise already deployed and incoming psychosocial support units, consider possible official/legal frameworks, plan mandates and tasks in light of existing plans, operational procedures and medical services).
On-going coordination of available psychosocial resources (i.e. provide structure, coordinate different providers, coordinate already deployed and incoming psychosocial support units, consider possible official/legal frameworks, plan mandates and tasks in light of existing plans, operational procedures and medical services).
Coordination of active longer-term psychosocial resources (i.e. coordinating follow-up and transition of directly and indirectly affected persons, coordinate structure, coordinate different providers, consider possible official/legal frameworks, coordinate mandates and tasks in light of existing plans, operational procedures and medical services).
Monitoring needs assessment, monitoring structures, coordinating different provider (incl. non-governmental organizations (NGOs), self-help groups, etc.) (consider possible official/legal frameworks, resources, and tasks in light of existing plans).
Initial organisation of psychosocial support structures needed for those evacuated (potential longer-term involvement), if needed.
On-going coordination of psychosocial support structure needed for those evacuated (potential longer-term involvement), if needed.
Assistance in coordinating of volunteer helpers to support on-going missions without compromising them.
Monitoring volunteer helpers to assist on-going missions, yet avoid compromising on-going missions.
Building and organising secondary healthcare networks (considering legal frameworks, embassies, etc.) with potential other countries (e.g. for international victims, international casualties, etc.) as part of psychosocial aftercare.
Maintaining secondary healthcare networks with potential other countries (e.g. for international victims, international casualties, etc.) as part of psychosocial aftercare.
Setting up of psychosocial support hotline/media/print material in line with existing communication plans and possible other hotlines/social-/media (e.g. to provide information, offer assistance, foster resilience). The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Maintaining psychosocial support hotline/websites/print material in line with existing communication plans (e.g. provide information/education, offer assistance). The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Maintaining psychosocial support hotline/websites in line with existing communication plans (e.g. provide information/education, offer assistance). The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Maintaining psychosocial support hotline/websites in line with existing communication plans (e.g. provide information/education, offer assistance). The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Maintaining psychosocial support hotline/websites in line with existing communication plans (e.g. provide information/education, offer assistance), if needed.
Building and organising secondary healthcare (incl. palliative care) networks in the extended region as part of psychosocial aftercare. This may include briefing of medical doctors (e.g. general practitioners (GPs)) and other secondary healthcare staff in the region.
Organising and maintaining secondary healthcare (incl. palliative care) networks in the extended region as part of psychosocial aftercare. This may include briefing of medical doctors (e.g. general practitioners (GPs)) and other secondary healthcare staff in the region.
Maintenance and cooperation with secondary and tertiary healthcare networks (i.e. psychological and medical in-patient/out-patient treatments) as part of psychosocial aftercare.
Maintenance and cooperation with secondary and tertiary healthcare networks (i.e. psychological and medical in-patient/out-patient treatments) as part of psychosocial aftercare.
Initial organisation of low-threshold transitions of respectively affected persons into secondary and tertiary healthcare and other aftercare services.
Setting up of low-threshold psychosocial support and aftercare services (e.g. contact points/coordination centres and/or mobile facilities) for civilians during the intermediate and longer-term phases (e.g. for transition to longer-term care: health issues, resettlement issues, social issues, financial issues, legal issues, information, education, etc.).
Coordinating and managing low-threshold psychosocial support and aftercare services (e.g. contact points/coordination centres and/or mobile facilities) for civilians during longer-term phases (e.g. for transition to longer-term care: follow-up, health issues, resettlement issues, funerals, occupational issues, social issues, financial issues, legal issues, information, education).
Coordination of community-based psychosocial services in residency for civilians during longer-term phases (e.g. for transition to longer-term care: follow-up, health issues, resettlement issues, occupational issues, social issues, financial issues, legal issues, hotline/website, information, education, etc.).
Coordination of community-based psychosocial longer-term services in residency for civilians during (e.g. information, education, assistance, mediation, counselling), if needed.
Organisation of psychosocial support for relatives of casualties/dead victims (e.g. at hospitals, morgues).
Coordinating needs assessment sensitive to respective value systems (the respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases) and identification of affected persons.
Coordinating needs assessment sensitive to respective value systems (the respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases) and identification of affected persons and possibly engaging trauma specialists.
Assistance to secure necessary funds.
Assistance to secure necessary funds.
Securing necessary funds.
Securing necessary funds, if needed.
Managing press/media/social media involvement to dovetail psychosocial efforts.
Managing press/media/social media involvement to dovetail psychosocial efforts.
Facilitating internal evaluation, lessons learned and follow-up of psychosocial operatives.
Facilitating on-going internal evaluation and lessons learned (incl. secondary and tertiary healthcare).
Organising memorial services/events (incl. information about offered support routes).
Organisation of remembrance services/events (incl. information about offered support routes).
Organisation of remembrance services/events (incl. information about offered support routes).
Supporting set-up of psycho-educative channels for affected and general population.
Supporting psycho-educative and social channels and preventive actions for affected and general population.
Supporting psycho-educative and social channels and preventive actions for affected and general population, if needed.
Coordinating psychosocial support improvement efforts based on evidence-based evaluations.
Organisation of training and/or briefings for matters relating to psychosocial support for all potential responders (incl. secondary/tertiary healthcare staff). Training also needs to consider community and cross-border networks, special needs care, cultural/value issues, lessons learned, etc.
Identification of community-based resources
Psychosocial support provided for the disaster management
5
5
5
5
6
6
7
5
Please note: no incident has occurred during this phase.
Please note: This phase usually runs in parallel to the pre-incident phase and describes measures and services still associated with the original event.
All measures fostering continuous prevention based on specific needs of the disaster management.
Briefing for upcoming phases, relevant psychosocial plans and psychosocial structures (incl. estimated duration: weeks to months).
Providing information about progress and availability of various forms of psychosocial support (incl. situational awareness).
Providing regular updates and information about progress, modus operandi, next steps and availability of various forms of psychosocial support.
Providing regular updates and information about progress, modus operandi, next steps and availability of various forms of psychosocial support (incl. briefing and preparation for the following weeks and months).
Providing regular updates and information about progress, modus operandi, next steps and availability of various forms of psychosocial support(incl. briefing and preparation for the following weeks and months).
Providing sporadic information and updates about progress, modus operandi, next steps and availability of various forms of psychosocial support(incl. briefing and preparation for the following weeks and months).
Providing sporadic information and updates about availability of various psychosocial services and developments, if needed.
Assistance in networking with relevant stakeholders and other contacts.
Assistance in consolidating available information (under the assumption that information is gathered at multiple sites/through multiple channels).
On-going assistance in consolidating available information.
Nomination or appointment of specific roles within disaster management structures (e.g. a 'Disaster Resilience Manager', cf. Definitions).
Appointing a person for matters of psychosocial support to be part of the disaster management (i.e. a Disaster Resilience Manager). The responsibilities include both psychosocial support provided by as well as for the disaster management.
Functioning as expert advisor in matters of psychosocial support provided by and for the disaster management as well as the potential consequences to be expected (incl. basic psycho-education, press/media/social media engagement, preparation for meetings with affected people, etc.).
Functioning as expert advisor in matters of psychosocial support provided by and for the disaster management as well as the potential consequences to be expected (incl. basic psycho-education, problem solving, press/media/social media engagement, preparation for external meetings, etc.).
Functioning as expert advisor in matters of psychosocial support provided by and for the disaster management as well as the potential consequences to be expected (incl. basic psycho-education, problem solving, press/media/social media engagement, preparation for external meetings, etc.).
Functioning as expert advisor in matters of psychosocial support provided by and for the disaster management as well as preparing for the upcoming weeks and months.
Functioning as expert advisor in matters of psychosocial support.
Functioning as expert advisor in matters of psychosocial support provided by and for the disaster management, if needed.
Facilitating optimal working conditions under given circumstances.
Assistance to organise additional support within existing management structures to facilitate optimal working conditions under given circumstances to maintain the protection from any factors that might compromise professionalism (e.g. nutrition, space, breaks, rotation, security, etc.).
Assistance to organise adequate support within existing management structures to facilitate optimal working conditions under given circumstances to maintain the protection from any factors that might compromise professionalism (e.g. nutrition, space, security, accommodation if needed, breaks, hygiene, rotation, involvement of specialists – e.g. for press/media/social media, if needed).
Assistance to organise adequate support within existing management structures to facilitate optimal working conditions under given circumstances to maintain the protection from any factors that might compromise professionalism (e.g. nutrition, space, security, accommodation if needed, breaks, hygiene, rotation, involvement of specialists - e.g. for press/media/social media, if needed, etc.).
Assistance to organise adequate support within existing management structures to facilitate optimal working conditions under given circumstances to maintain the protection from any factors that might compromise personal health (e.g. space, breaks, security, involvement of specialists, rotation, etc.).
Paying attention to the workload of involved people and (re-)activate stress management strategies, if needed.
Protection from any factors that might compromise professionalism by making adequate psychosocial support resources available for the disaster management if needed (e.g. sustaining emotional self-control, monitoring of individual stress management among disaster managers, conflict resolution, coaching to increase sense of safety and self-/team-efficacy, calming, advice for potential conflicts of interests).
Protection from any factors that might compromise professionalism by making adequate psychosocial support resources available for the disaster management (e.g. sustaining emotional self-control, monitoring of individual stress management among disaster managers, conflict resolution, coaching to increase sense of safety and self-/team-efficacy, psychological first aid, advice for potential conflicts of interests, fostering team work) while avoiding emotional entanglement.
Protection from any factors that might compromise professionalism by making adequate psychosocial support resources available for the disaster management (e.g. sustaining emotional self-control, monitoring of individual stress management among disaster managers, conflict resolution, coaching to increase sense of safety and self-/team-efficacy, coaching for press/media/social media and demands of the affected population, coaching for scapegoating, personal doubt/guilt/denial, facilitating peer support, psychological first aid, active listening, advice for potential conflicts of interests, fostering team work, cognitive debriefing) while avoiding emotional entanglement.
Protection from any factors that might compromise personal health by making adequate psychosocial support resources available for the disaster management (e.g. appropriate stress management support, conflict resolution, coaching for press/media/social media and demands of the affected population, coaching for scapegoating, personal doubt/guilt/denial, facilitating peer support, resilience-building interventions, cognitive debriefing).
Making adequate psychosocial support resources available for the disaster management (e.g. protection, appropriate stress management support, coaching for press/media/social media and demands of the affected population, coaching for scapegoating, personal doubt/guilt/denial, facilitating peer support, resilience-building interventions, cognitive debriefing).
Making adequate psychosocial support resources (e.g. counselling, training, etc.) available for the disaster management, if needed.
Monitoring stress levels to maintain professionalism (e.g. recognition of own limits and limits of others).
Monitoring stress levels to maintain personal health (e.g. recognition of own limits and limits of others).
Monitoring stress levels to maintain personal health (e.g. recognition of own limits and limits of others).
Monitoring stress levels to maintain personal health and professionalism (e.g. recognition of own limits).
Assistance to secure necessary funds.
Assistance to secure necessary funds.
Assistance in clarification of funds.
Preparing for technical debriefing (considering current stress levels).
Training and/or briefing of all potential disaster managers (incl. stress-management training, community specific issues, cross-border preparedness, etc.).
Assistance in the evaluation/lessons learned.
Collaborations with other regions/countries to exchange experiences, best practice models and trainings also to increase mutual support in case of cross-border or international missions is encouraged.
Further considerations
3
3
4
4
6
9
8
5
The responsibility for matters of psychosocial support provided by and for the disaster management transitions from the disaster management (e.g. 'Disaster Resilience Manager', cf. Scope) to psychosocial aftercare services.
Mapping of available psychosocial resources at regional/national/international levels to identify potential weaknesses in existing procedures and develop appropriate solutions.
All efforts to provide psychosocial support from and for the disaster management need to be customised to fit existing structures and (legal) frameworks and be tailored towards the specific situation.
All effort to provide psychosocial support from and for the disaster management need to be customised and tailored towards the specific situation.
All effort to provide psychosocial support from and for the disaster management need to be customised and tailored towards the specific situation.
All effort to provide psychosocial support from and for the disaster management need to be customised and tailored towards the specific situation.
All effort to provide psychosocial support from and for the disaster management need to be customised and tailored towards the specific situation.
All effort to provide psychosocial support from and for the disaster management need to be customised and tailored towards the specific situation.
All effort to provide psychosocial support from and for the disaster management need to be customised and tailored towards the specific situation.
Improvement of working conditions of incident responders (e.g. health and safety) needs to be on-going.
It is important during the pre-alert phase that psychosocial support dovetails every effort to ensure effective and efficient professional working conditions. Efforts are directed at preparing and organising appropriate structures for the following phases.
It is paramount during the early stages that psychosocial support dovetails every effort to ensure effective and efficient professional working conditions for all units, including the disaster management. Under the assumption that rescue and evacuation has just begun, most psychosocial support effort is directed at preparing and organising appropriate structures for the following phases. All such efforts are ideally facilitated by a specifically designated person (e.g. the Disaster Resilience Manager).
It is paramount during the emergency intervention phase that psychosocial support assists to ensure professional working conditions for all units, including the disaster management. In this phase, most psychosocial support effort is directed at acute psychosocial care as well as preparing and organising the following phases. Under the assumption that such efforts are increasing, they are ideally facilitated by a specifically designated member of the disaster management (e.g. the Disaster Resilience Manager) via official communication-, alarm- and command structures.
It is paramount during the non-emergency intervention phase that psychosocial support assists to ensure professional working conditions for all units, including the disaster management. In this phase, most psychosocial support effort is directed at on-going psychosocial care as well as good transitioning to the following phases. All such efforts are ideally facilitated by a specifically designated person (e.g. the Disaster Resilience Manager).
It is paramount during the post-emergency phase I that psychosocial support has transitioned into the longer-term phases and the needed structures are still coordinated and maintained by the disaster management.
It is paramount during the post-emergency phase II that community-based psychosocial services have been established. The disaster management may still manage the needed structures to some degree. .
It might be appropriate for the acting disaster management to officially disengage during this stage and hand over all business to assigned deputies. In some cases, disaster managers might be affected, too, hence, stress levels and possible trauma-related symptoms need to be monitored.
All such efforts are ideally facilitated under the supervision of a specifically appointed person for matters of psychosocial support (e.g. the Disaster Resilience Manager).
It might be appropriate for the acting Disaster Resilience Manager to disengage during this stage and hand over all business to the implemented psychosocial aftercare services (e.g. contact points/coordination centres) unless unusual psychosocial needs arise (in that case: on-demand availability). In some cases, Disaster Resilience Managers might be affected, too; hence, stress levels and possible trauma-related symptoms need to be monitored, too.
The acting Disaster Resilience Manager is available on demand and may still monitor established psychosocial services from and for the disaster management. In some cases, Disaster Resilience Managers might be affected, too; hence, stress levels and possible trauma-related symptoms need to be monitored, too.
The acting Disaster Resilience Manager is available on demand and may monitor established psychosocial services from and for the disaster management.
Due to the elevated prevalence of trauma-related symptoms, it is important to consult sufficient trauma specialists. This may also include issues of secondary traumatisation. In this phase, most psychosocial support effort is directed at follow-up psychosocial care in cooperation with secondary and tertiary healthcare networks as well as adequate social work often via psychosocial aftercare services, such as coordination centre(s) and/or mobile facilities.
Due to the elevated prevalence of trauma-related symptoms, it is important to consult sufficient trauma specialists. This may also include issues of secondary traumatisation. In this phase, most psychosocial support effort is directed at follow-up psychosocial care in cooperation with secondary and tertiary healthcare networks as well as adequate social and educational work.
The acting disaster management is likely to be still involved in some capacity and likely to benefit from on-going coaching (press/media/social media, personal, occupational, legal, political issues, etc.).
Representatives of the disaster management are only available on demand. On-going responsibilities are managed by assigned deputies, however not organised in form of a specialised unit anymore. Newly arising needs are to be considered by regular alarm structures. In some cases, disaster managers might be affected, too, hence, stress levels and possible trauma-related symptoms need to be monitored.
Appropriate integration of psychosocial support into national laws, policies or regulations as well as (existing) emergency/action plans needs to be considered. This may include the designation of specific personnel (e.g. coordination bodies, research institutions, specialists).
Special needs (e.g. of children/young, elderly or disabled people, faith-related customs, culture/value-related restrictions, marginalised groups, etc.) among the affected population may require additional resources and need to be considered as early as possible. The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Special needs (e.g. of children/young, elderly or disabled people, faith-related customs, culture/value-related restrictions, marginalised groups, etc.) among the affected population may require additional resources and need to be considered as early as possible. The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Special needs (e.g. of children/young, elderly or disabled people, faith-related customs, culture/value-related restrictions, marginalised groups, etc.) among the affected population may require additional resources and need to be considered. The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Special needs (e.g. of children/young, elderly or disabled people, faith-related customs, culture/value-related restrictions, marginalised groups, etc.) among the affected population may require additional resources and need to be considered. The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Special needs (e.g. of children/young, elderly or disabled people, faith-related customs, culture/value-related restrictions, marginalised groups, etc.) among the affected population may require additional resources and need to be considered. The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
Special needs (e.g. of children/young, elderly or disabled people, faith-related customs, culture/value-related restrictions, marginalised groups, etc.) among the affected population may require additional resources and need to be considered. The respective needs are likely to differ across groups and phases.
It may be necessary during the post-emergency phase III that community-based psychosocial services remain available, if needed. In this phase, most psychosocial support effort is available on demand in cooperation with secondary and tertiary healthcare networks as well as adequate social and educational work.
It is likely that improvisations are necessary to compensate for shortages in staff or supplies, or to compensate for technical difficulties (e.g. communication technology, weather conditions). Such deviations from existing plans may lead to increased levels of stress and need to be considered.
It is likely that improvisations are necessary to compensate for shortages in staff or supplies, or to compensate for technical difficulties (e.g. communication tech., weather conditions). Such deviations from existing plans may lead to increased levels of stress and need to be considered.
Recognisability of members of the psychosocial support units, including Disaster Resilience Manager, is highly encouraged, preferably with own code/abbreviation/colour for easy identification (e.g. psychosocial support operatives: brassard/vest; Disaster Resilience Manager: uniform/vest analogue to other disaster managers). Descriptions/signs including “psychology” or derivatives/abbreviations should be avoided to prevent stigmatisation of those attended to.
Members of the affected population and/or the press/media/social media might direct their attention towards the disaster management and create considerable pressure. Specific psychosocial support for the disaster management might be necessary.
Members of the affected population and/or the press/media/social media might direct their attention towards the disaster management and create considerable pressure. Specific psychosocial support for the disaster management might be necessary.
Members of the affected population and/or the press/media/social media might direct their attention towards the disaster management and create considerable pressure. Specific psychosocial support for the disaster management might be necessary.
Members of the affected population and/or the press/media/social media might direct their attention towards the disaster management and create considerable pressure. Specific psychosocial support for the disaster management might be necessary.
Coordination of the various response agencies may become particularly difficult and might need special attention.
Coordination of the various response agencies may still be difficult. These services may be provided through voluntary work. Special attention might be needed (e.g. voluntary-specific issues: finance, qualification, time, man-power, health, etc.).
Strategic Recommendations for Psychosocial Support

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 312395.