Guidance for Responders
Disaster Action promotes a needs-driven, user-led approach, which is intended not to be a substitute for self-support, but as an addition to it. It is now recognised that appropriate practical and emotional assistance in the immediate aftermath of a trauma can help to prevent any future mental health disorder, which supports the long-term views and experience of Disaster Action.
The ideal is to enable people to help themselves, while facilitating access to organised support for ongoing practical/medical/financial help for those who may fall through gaps, or for whom disaster-related needs may not become apparent till some time after the disaster. The need for practical/medical/financial help to be available may continue for a considerable period of time.
The most effective support in our view is a practical, signposting service that enables people to access the services that they may require.
Disaster Action members have written three guidance documents for those responding to disasters. Responders will also find useful the leaflets for survivors, the bereaved and their families in our series When Disaster Strikes.
Working with Disaster Survivors and the Bereaved:
Code of Practice on Privacy, Anonymity & Confidentiality
A code of practice has been developed by Disaster Action with a view to protecting the rights and interests of those affected by disaster, specifically survivors and the bereaved. It is designed to govern the attitudes and behaviour of all those who may work directly or indirectly with all those affected by disaster. It includes, but is not limited to, local authorities, coroners and all those involved in identification processes, members of the emergency services and investigation teams, National Health trusts and voluntary agencies. This Code has been adopted by organisations such as the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC).
Disaster Victim Identification:
Issues for Families and Implications for Police Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) and Coroner’s Officers (COs)
A guide has been written by members of Disaster Action to raise the issues around identification that - based on our common experience - are important to families, whatever the origin of the disaster, and the implications of these issues for police family liaison officers and coroner’s officers.
Humanitarian Assistance in Emergencies: Non-statutory guidance on establishing Humanitarian Assistance Centres
Published by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), October 2006 with input from a number of organisations including Disaster Action)
Longer-term Support: Guidance for Responders
This document sets out the key issues for responders offering support to survivors and the bereaved in the longer term.
Literature and Best Practice Review and Assessment: Identifying People’s Needs in Major Emergencies and Best Practice in Humanitarian Response, Dr Anne Eyre (DCMS, October 2006)
http://www.ukresilience.info/upload/assets/www.ukresilience.info/ha_literature_review.pdf |
