On this page we have collected some useful links with information about the Tsunami.

After the Tsunami: Integrating Psychosocial Programming Within Humanitarian Response
The Psychosocial Working Group (2005)
The earthquake and tsunami of 26 December 2004 brought great devastation to innumerable communities bordering the Indian Ocean. As humanitarian efforts continue to support relief and, increasingly, reconstruction work within these communities there is great awareness of the human dimensions of this disaster.
(2 pages, .pdf)

Caritas India - Tsunami Response
Caritas India (2006)
An own web site with a lot of material related to the tsunami disaster in 2004.

Disaster Psychosocial Response - Handbook for community counsellor trainers
Academy for Disaster Management Education, Planning, & Training, India (2005)
More than 100,000 people have been unsettled in the Tsunami hit Cuddalore district in Tamilnadu, India. The Academy for Disaster Management Education, Planning & Training (ADEPT) coordinated with a group of major charitable hospitals from all over the country and mmobilized medical relief on a war footing. It was estimated that less than 10% of the Tsunami affected population had suffered physical injury or illness. Almost EVERYONE had suffered severe psychological and emotional trauma.
(95 pages, .pdf)

Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering From Natural Disasters
APA Help Center (2005)
When a natural disaster affects a community, the resulting trauma can reverberate even with those not directly affected by the disaster.
Disasters of this type can be sudden and overwhelming. In addition to the often catastrophic toll on lives and property, a disaster like a tsunami(tidal wave), hurricane or fire can have an impact on those who have lost loved ones and even those who feel more vulnerable as a result of learning about the disaster.

Psychological Impact of the Tsunami Across the Indian Rim
National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (2005)
The massively destructive tsunami that struck across the Indian Rim caused extensive loss of life and injury as well as devastation to property and community resources. The combination of life-threatening personal experiences, loss of loved ones and property, pervasive post-disaster adversities, and enormous economic impact on families and entire nations pose an extreme psychological challenge to the recovery of children and families in the affected areas. This brief information sheet provides an overview of expected psychological and physical responses among survivors.
(4 pages, .pdf)

Psychosocial Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster
By the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (2005)
People in these areas may be experiencing many different emotional and physical responses at this time. Some of these responses include confusion, fear, hopelessness, sleeplessness, crying, difficulty in eating, headaches, body aches, anxiety, and anger.
(1 page, .pdf)

Psychosocial Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster - What You Can Do to Support Children in Disaster Areas
By the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (2005)
For children, being able to trust at least one adult who can take care of them can pull them through stressful times. Therefore, helping children to maintain relationships with a family member or known person is very important.
(3 pages, .pdf)

Psychosocial Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster - Why People May Be Experiencing Emotional and Mental Distress
By the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (2005)
Psychosocial interventions should not interfere with the organisation of food, shelter, clothing, public health services and the control of communicable diseases in the areas affected by the tsunami.
(3 pages, .pdf)

Psychosocial Care and Protection of Tsunami Affected Children
Inter-Agency working group on separated and unaccompanied children (2004)
Exposure to natural disasters has a devastating impact on the psychological and social well-being of children, adolescents and adults. It is now widely accepted that early psychosocial interventions that help to mitigate the effect of trauma, alleviating psychological distress, and strengthen resiliency must be an integral part of humanitarian assistance.
(3 pages, .doc)

Psychosocial assessment in Sri Lanka
By the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (2005)
"The accounts of the people that have witnessed the Tsunami are overwhelming. People saw their relatives disappear into the sea, some could not hold onto their children, while others are still searching for their missing relatives, writes psychosocial officer Margriet Blaauw in her report from Sri Lanka.

Tsunami: Public Health Issues
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005)
Tsunamis such as those that recently hit South Asia can have serious public health consequences. This page provides information on those public health issues.

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