Who would've wished to be in that catastrophic situation that all you can do is cry and tremble out of jitters hopelessly?
Perhaps being on this unfortunate life-turning event is one that we less expected but would tightly cross our fingers of not ever letting it exist in a specific circumstance.
All those mishaps headlined worldwide might have happened out of nature, and the worst would be human error.
The devastating 7.0 magnitude Haiti earthquake in 2010, the deadliest hurricane Katrina that hit the United States of America in 2005, the heinous 9.0 magnitude quake that hit the East coast of Japan and then later on followed by an unanticipated tsunami in 2011, the 2011 East Africa Drought: these are just a few of the worst disasters ever recorded around the world.
You can imagine how many thousands of billions of innocent lives were at stake and wiped out because of these tragic circumstances.
However, despite all the statistics showing that victims of these terrible occurrences are still victims, there are still ways to protect every individual from previous events.
Everyone demands to be kept safe; some require extra care during unfortunate events.
Here are the kinds of victims and individuals that should also be considered, and it's accompanied by the ways and means of keeping them protected by your manner of giving aid to them.
Children in Disasters
Catastrophes, commonly caused by nature, affect children differently than adults. Tornados, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, or violent acts can be terrifying for children and could eventually traumatize them.
Youngsters may freeze, cry, or scream, suggesting they don't fully understand how to keep themselves safe.
With that being said, children demand help from adults in an emergency. Their bodies are different from ours. As adults, they are more likely to get sick or severely injured. This is where the tender loving care as a parent/ guardian will arise!
They may not be able to explain what hurts or bothers them. Still, they need to experience genuine and soothing care from their parents, caregivers, or you as someone who dwells on taking good welfare for this innocent soul.
Laws require an adult to make medical decisions for a child. You can ask the child's healthcare provider for advice and a referral to someone who can help.
Following a disaster, people may develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is a set of symptoms that can result from experiencing, witnessing, or participating in an overwhelmingly traumatic (frightening) event.
Children with this disorder have repeated episodes in which they re-experience the traumatic event. Children often relive the trauma through repetitive play. In young children, upsetting dreams of the traumatic event may change into nightmares of monsters, rescuing others, or threats to self or others.
PTSD rarely appears during the trauma itself. Though the effects can happen soon after the event, the disorder often surfaces several months or even years later.
After a disaster, parents should be alert to these changes in behavior:
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Refusal to return to school and "clinging" behavior, including shadowing the mother or father around the house.
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Continuing fears about the event (such as fears about being permanently separated from parents)
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Sleep disturbances, such as nightmares, screaming during sleep, and bedwetting, persist more than several days after the event.
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Loss of concentration and irritability
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Jumpiness or being startled easily
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Behavior problems, for example, misbehaving in school or at home in ways that are not usual for the child.
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Physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches, dizziness) for which a physical cause cannot be found
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Withdrawal from family and friends, sadness, listlessness, decreased activity, and preoccupation with the events of the disaster
Professional advice or treatment for children affected by a disaster--especially those who have witnessed destruction, injury, or death--can help prevent or minimize PTSD.
Parents concerned about their children can ask their pediatrician or family doctor to refer them to a child and adolescent psychiatrist for an evaluation.
Pregnant Women in Disasters
Women are encouraged to seek mental health services and access other services set up to help them through agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), WIC, Red Cross, March of Dimes, etc.
Local organizations, such as churches and shelters, can often help provide communities with basic needs (e.g., shelter, food, water, and diapers). If available, pregnant women are urged to talk with a healthcare provider about any pregnancy questions or concerns.
The effects of a disaster can range from minor to devastating. People might be forced to leave their homes before, during, or after the event. This can be scary and stressful, especially for pregnant women.
A person's response to a traumatic event may vary. Women, who are often the caretakers of the family, are at risk for depression due to grief over lost family members, friends, and material possessions. Pregnant women are even more vulnerable.
During and Just After a Disaster
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Drink plenty of water and rest often.
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Make sure your baby gets plenty of breast milk or formula.
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Seek prenatal care even if it is not with your usual provider.
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Ensure health care providers know about any special needs or health problems you might have and any medicines you take (both over-the-counter and prescription).
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If checking into a shelter or temporary housing, tell the pregnant staff or if you think you might be pregnant. Tell the staff about any special needs or health problems you or your family have.
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If you have your prenatal vitamins or other medicines with you, take them as directed. If your young infant needs a prescription or over-the-counter medicine, and you have it, give it as directed.
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If you don't have our prescription medicines, ask the shelter staff for help.
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If you are pregnant or might be pregnant, be especially careful to avoid infections or toxins. Environmental toxins lessen the infection risk by washing your hands often and encouraging others to cover their coughs.
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Preparing for and recovering from a disaster can be stressful. While you may care for loved ones, pregnant women must find healthy ways to reduce stress. Talk to others and share your thoughts and feelings if you feel stressed or sad because of the disaster. Know that you are not alone.
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If you have any signs of preterm labor, call your healthcare provider or 911 or go to the hospital immediately.
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Disasters
Emergency or disaster planning includes preparing organizations and staff to deal with natural and artificial disasters, supporting people with disabilities in preparing for a disaster, and providing education and information to ensure local and statewide emergency officials are fully prepared to address the needs of people with disabilities in an emergency.
Often, the needs of people with disabilities in emergency preparedness are unaddressed, or plans are not well-coordinated, leaving individuals with disabilities unnecessarily vulnerable in an emergency.
During an emergency, the critical needs of individuals with disabilities include evacuating transit systems, getting to a safe shelter during a natural disaster, and having full access to transportation systems when a particular location needs to be evacuated.
If you or someone close to you has a disability or a special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency.
Below are the steps for individuals with disabilities and special needs in an emergency.
1. Visually impaired
People who are blind or partially sighted may be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when a stranger requests evacuation. During a disaster, a guinea dog could become confused or disoriented. During a disaster, people who are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them and their dogs to safety.
2. Hearing-impaired
You may need to make special arrangements to receive warnings.
3. Mobility impaired
May need special assistance to get to a shelter.
4. People with intellectual disabilities
You may need help responding to emergencies and getting to a shelter.
5. People with dementia
Should be registered in the AlzheimAlzheimer'sation Safe Return Program
Rehabilitation
This phase refers to the aftermath of a disaster, crisis, or emergency, emphasizing restoring conditions to normal and recovering from damage and disruption. This low-level process may last years and require a lengthy living arrangement with temporary arrangements.
Governments and public administrators should ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against in the planning, design, or assignment of temporary post-disaster shelters. These shelters must be accessible and functional according to their needs.
Moreover, people with disabilities should not be discriminated against in the provision of post-disaster employment opportunities or the assignment of permanently rebuilt housing.
As in the emergency phase, every effort should be made to accommodate working animals, such as guide dogs for the blind. People with disabilities should not suffer higher levels of post-disaster risk than the general population.
Discrimination in any of the ways outlined here should be monitored regularly.
If it occurs, measures should be taken promptly to stop it, and any staff guilty of exhibiting discriminatory attitudes or behaviors or making decisions that cause discrimination should be disciplined or re-educated.
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