2018-04-10 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 4 - Local Disaster Recovery Subplan

2.3.6    Acknowledging and building capacity

Successful recovery recognises, supports and builds on community, individual and
organisational capacity. Recovery planners should assess gaps between existing and required
capability and capacity. They should quickly identify and mobilise community skills and
resources and acknowledge that existing resources may be stretched requiring additional
resources to be mobilised. Recovery should consider how to sustain effort over anticipated
recovery timeframes. Opportunities to share, transfer and develop knowledge, skills and training
should be promoted. There should be a clear understanding of when and how to disengage.
Disengagement should be well-planned and communicated.


2.4. Re-establishing resiliency
One of the aims of recovery is to help re-establish individual’s and community resilience and to
build community connections and assets that support this process as soon as possible. This
means developing strategies with individuals, businesses and communities to help them prepare
for possible events and including these arrangements in relevant plans. It means working with
leaders and their networks to understand what can be improved after an event to increase
individual and community resilience. Recovery provides an opportunity to rebuild the community
back stronger and better.


2.5. Post-disaster psychology
All emergencies cause a range of stressors on the individual resulting in a broad range of
responses. Typically, these are ‘normal’ responses to an abnormal event that has touched the
lives of an individual, a family or a community. It is important that those planning recovery and
those implementing recovery services are aware of the psychological effects of disasters in order
to better deliver recovery outcomes.

Immediately following an emergency, people primarily seek practical assistance and reassurance
in an emotionally supportive manner. The emotional impact of traumatic events is very real.
Strong feelings may arise when the experience is talked about. Increased worry may interfere
with day-to-day living and the experience may leave people shaken and worried about the future.
However, most people return to their usual functioning level given time and the support of family
and friends.

It is important to note that individual responses will vary and that the cycle is not necessarily a
single or linear one, but may alter, extend, diminish or re-occur at different times throughout the
recovery process. Friends, family and local recovery support services can all assist in reducing
the frustrations and amount of time people spend in the ‘trough of disillusionment’, or limit the
depth of that trough.

If disaster affected people understand the types of experiences and emotions they may
experience throughout their recovery process, they can establish a stronger understanding that
what they are experiencing is not unusual but is a fairly typical response to a post-disaster
situation. Understanding this may also help people to more strongly understand the transient
nature of these experiences and that they will get through and recover from a disaster. Refer to
Section 5.1 Disaster effects and reactions of communities.




Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Subplan 2018                                                  Page 7