February 24, 2009

Disaster care....

Our country has seen several disasters over the years. Some were natural disasters and some executed by terror groups. With each disaster, our hearts bled all the more. Latest being the Mumbai Terror attacks.

The wounds will take more time to heal, the hearts still bleed, the tear glands are still at work.

One thought really scares me as a HR student. What if our organisation becomes a victim of such a disaster?

I guess, HR will have the most key role in such a situation as it is considered as an employee champion. But, are we equipped to champion such causes???

If this question makes you silent then it's time we think fast and act faster to be more agile and nimble footed.

During a recent Social Work seminar in my college[MSSW], several reading materials were distributed. According to one reading material by Psychosocial Support Team, Behavioral Sciences Centre, St Xavier's College Campus,Navrangpura,Ahmedabad; the three aspects of assistance in disaster care are:

1. Helping the affected people to recognise and understand the disaster experience and changes that they experience in their body and mind.
2. Decreasing the physical and phycological effects by listening, encouraging,relaxation and externalisation of interests and activities.
3. Giving practical support to rebuild their shattered lives in areas of housing, work,health and community life.

I know that the above might not fit well enough in organisational context but it can certainly be used as a basis for preparing ourselves. I will write on this issue in near future and would appreciate your thoughts on the same.

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