Earthquakes strike without warning and after shocks intensify fright and despair. Tornadoes randomly choose their victims, skipping one house and striking the next. Hurricanes can be unpredictable and suddenly change course causing the evacuation of large areas. Disasters may be classified as either natural or human-caused. The following chart describes the different characteristics of natural and human-caused disasters.
Blame is a characteristic that differs significantly for natural and human-caused disasters.
Disaster survivors of human-caused disasters may blame and feel anger toward individuals, groups, or organizations they believe caused or contributed to the disaster. Psychosocial Issues for Children and Families in Disasters. A Guide for the Primary Care Physician. This type of intervention involves classic counseling goals of helping people to understand their current situation and reactions, assisting in the review of their options, providing emotional support, and encouraging linkage with other resources and agencies who may assist the individual. The assistance is focused upon helping the person deal with the current situation in which they may find themselves.