NDMA proposes prayers, spiritual discourses for disaster-affected

Organise mass prayers and spiritual discourses in localities where disaster has struck. This is the suggestion the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) wants included in disaster management interventions, as it feels that the emotional needs of survivors are often overlooked.

The NDMA has come up with a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for providing psychosocial support to disaster survivors, as documented evidence from India and other countries show that their emotional needs are often overlooked.

“Effective and rapid Psycho-social Support and Mental Health Services response helps reduce stress and trauma of the affected populace, and facilitates speedy recovery by normalising lives,” says the draft, adding that timely psycho-social support will prevent development of long-term psychosocial problems and hasten survivors' recovery.

The draft SOP also calls for monitoring suicide attempts and conducting psychosocial mapping of vulnerable communities during disasters.

Emphasising on the need for focusing on “local, cultural, traditional values and practices” of survivors, the draft says there is a need to conduct recreational activities at relief camps keeping in mind the local cultural sensitivities.

“Encourage traditional community practices such as mass prayers, spiritual discourse, etc,” it says. Organisations conducting spiritual activities and programmes must be roped in, but care should be taken to avoid conflict, says the document.

It also outlines the need for sensitising and training first responders and relief workers on psychosocial needs of vulnerable groups to provide priority care to women, children, the aged and the disabled.