The social system as site of disaster impact and resource for recovery

ABSTRACT

Emergencies create widespread social disruption, which easily translates into degraded quality of life and undermines the social fabric of the affected community. A clearer understanding of these social processes may assist in conceptualising important dimensions of the impact of disaster and point the way to developing strategies to manage the social environment during recovery. This paper reflects on community and clinical observations of people in various emergencies and offers an analysis of some effects of emergencies on social fabric and suggests recovery strategies. (AU)