Lessons learnt from the psychosocial response to the tsunami
Psychosocial approaches
Community based approach
Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies primarily use a community-based approach when responding to psychosocial needs. This means they strive to involve the community as much as possible in assessing needs and resources; planning and implementation of relevant activities and interventions; monitoring progress; evaluating impact; and finally evaluating when external support is no longer needed. Such an approach aims to empower the communities to take care of themselves and to reduce dependency on others for their wellbeing.
Four response models
Since every situation a National Society responds to differs according to the context, the events that have led to the need for assistance and to the resources in the area, there is no single blueprint for how to respond to psychosocial needs. The multi-country response to the tsunami did, however, enable the definition of four models of psychosocial responses, presented in the diagram below:
1. Stand-alone psychosocial response
The first model is a stand-alone psychosocial programme, focusing solely on psychosocial needs. This type of programme usualy has an independent staff and budget. Although its administration may be run separately, it is implemented in collaboration and cooperation with other areas of response.
2. Psychosocial plus
The second model is also called a psychosocial programme, but it typically integrates psychosocial needs with others, such as food, shelter, water, clothing or livelihood, and other basic survival needs. It is based on the principle of integraion and provides a holistic response, but is administratively managed as a psychosocial programme.
3. Integrated Model A
In this model, psychosocial activities are included in other response programmes, such as health and care, or disastter management. Psychosocial activites here are a component of a much larger and broader programme that addresses additional needs and aspects. In these types of programmes, staff may not be specifically recruited to focus on psychosocial activities and the administrative and financial management of the programme lies within the larger focus area.
4. Integrated Model B
The fourth model uses psychosocial support as an entry point to the affected population and as a platform for all other responses. The multi-sectoral responses needed to assist communities are identified and responded to, based on the outcome of initial psychosocial activities. This integrated approach aims to provide a holistic 'umbrella of support' to the individual, family and community.
Which model is used depends on needs and resources, the context and the realistic opportunities available. It may be that one model is chosen at the beginning of a responce, and another later on.
It can, for example, be appropriate to start a response with a stand-alone psychosocial programme (model 1) and, with time, work towards integrating psychosocial actions and activities into another area of response, such as health and care (model 3), as the needs in the affected population change. Psychosocial needs change all the time, and it is important to make sure chosen interventions are always relevant.
National and international standards and guidelines
Before deciding which model is most appropriate in a given situation, it is important to be familiar with and plan responses that adhere to national and international standards and guidelines on psychosocial interventions. If there are no national standards or guidelines that focus specifically to psychosocial support, there may be relevant notes in general health guidelines.
A number of international standards and guidelines exist that are relevant for planning and implementing psychosocial interventions. Examples are the:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- The Sphere Project, 2004. Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in a Disaster Response
- Inter-Agency Standing Committee, 2007. IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
- The Psychological Support Policy of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- The inter-Agency Network on Education in Emergency: Minimum Standards for Education in Emerigencies, Chronic Crises and Early Reconstruction.
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