Risk and response cycle
Five stages from understanding risk to recovery. The cycle maps onto the four priorities of the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, giving a common language with national and international partners.
4.1
Understanding risk
Psychosocial preparedness is impossible without knowing which hazard affects whom in Cyprus, and how. At this stage each hazard — earthquake, wildfire, flood, violence — is examined separately: the groups most likely to be affected, existing services and gaps, and how the community perceives the risk.
Starting point: the Cyprus risk profile. A detailed analysis of each hazard will be written as separate pages together with the relevant institutions.
4.2
Prevention and risk reduction
Prevention aims to stop a hazard turning into a disaster; risk reduction aims to lessen the impact of risks that cannot be avoided. In psychosocial terms this means strengthening social ties, knowing vulnerable groups in advance and building coordination between institutions.
At this stage the association works through advocacy, partnerships with institutions and research.
Sendai
Priorities 2 and 3 — Strengthening risk governance; investing in risk reduction for resilience
Tools
4.3
Preparedness
Preparedness is addressed at three levels: institutions (psychosocial support plans, trained staff), schools (teacher training, age-appropriate preparedness lessons) and families (family disaster plan, emergency kit, talking with children beforehand).
Sendai
Priority 4 — Preparedness for effective response
Tools
4.4
Response during an event
During an event the priority is saving lives; psychosocial support is given alongside meeting basic needs, never in conflict with them. Psychological first aid, verified information and reuniting families are the foundation of this stage.
When an event occurs, an incident page is opened on the site from a template prepared in advance: verified information, where to get support, what to do, and updates.
Sendai
Priority 4 — Preparedness for effective response
Tools
4.5
Recovery and reconstruction
Recovery takes months and years, not weeks. This stage focuses on follow-up, grief support, referring people with long-lasting reactions to specialist care and looking after responders. “Build Back Better” applies not only to buildings but also to social ties and services.
Sendai
Priority 4 — “Build Back Better” in recovery
Tools
References
Where the information on this page comes from
- Sendai Framework and its priorities
- UNDRR. What is the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction? undrr.org
- United Nations (2015). Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. undrr.org
- PreventionWeb (UNDRR). Sendai Framework at a glance. preventionweb.net
- Terms
- UNDRR (2017). Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction. undrr.org
- Psychosocial support in response and recovery
- Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2007). IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. interagencystandingcommittee.org
- WHO, War Trauma Foundation and World Vision International (2011). Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers. who.int