Red Cross volunteers are providing personal support to Queensland’s flood affected communities as they return home to begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.
Rob Gordon, Red Cross consultant psychologist, said that many people affected by the floods would be left emotionally and physically exhausted, making critical tasks like organising accommodation, getting finances in order, planning their recovery or attending to the emotional needs of their family all the more difficult.
“Immediately after a serious disaster, a person may experience a range of thoughts, feelings and behaviour that can be intense, confusing and tiring,” he said. “It’s also very easy to feel isolated and alone following a disaster, which increases stress levels and makes it difficult to think clearly and get things done.”
Dr Gordon said people needed to focus on looking after themselves and their families and friends during the recovery process. “It always takes longer than expected and people need to plan for the long haul. Experience has shown that people who reach out for help from family, government agencies or organisations like Red Cross and get involved in community activities recover better and faster,” he said.
Working with partner agencies, Red Cross volunteers are in recovery centres and visiting flood affected families at their homes, providing support and ensuring people are aware of and have access to the information and services they need. Red Cross has extensive experience in disaster response and recovery, including the 2009 Victorian bushfires and the 2011 Queensland floods.
Red Cross has developed a range of resources to help people understand what they may experience when recovering from disasters and what they can do to help themselves and others through these difficult times. This material, including ‘Coping with a major personal crisis’, and ‘Helping children and young people cope with crisis,’ is available at www.redcross.org.au.
Dr Gordon, an expert in disaster trauma, said a key coping strategy was for people to avoid devoting themselves entirely to recovery but to maintain social activities, take regular breaks, keep some normal activities going if possible and focus on maintaining personal relationships.
“It’s important for people to feel connected and supported as they return home and during the long recovery process,” he said. “Social interaction gives us energy and positive feelings. People who are connected with social networks always recover better than those who remain isolated and uninvolved.”
Red Cross and the Queensland Government have established the Queensland Floods 2013 Appeal, which has so far raised almost $7.5 million in received donations and pledges.
The independent Queensland Floods Appeal Distribution Committee, established to oversee the allocation of appeal funds, has announced the start of fund distribution to people whose homes are uninhabitable as a result of the floods.
To make a donation to the Queensland Floods 2013 Appeal, visit www.redcross.org.au.
