The Slow and Difficult Road to Recovery

Flood recovery is a complex, dynamic and protracted process so what can we expect to see in the coming months?

When disaster strikes a community we often see a wonderful human response where people come together and bond as a result of common unity in the face of adversity.  As the disaster abates a process of social debonding can occur. This is where an event profoundly disrupts pre-eixisting physical emotional and social continuity.  It affects all that was constant and taken for granted and is not understood.  As life resumes a level of "new normality" the interaction seen in the intial response is lessened.  A slightly different community is created and relationships have changed.  This debonding increases vulnerability and can lead to feelings of isolation, resentment and hostility, anger, stress, helplessness and depression.  it can be momentary or protracted, depending on the impact duration.

Impacts are primarily related to an individuals experience of the event, some people will require formal assistance or counselling and others will manage in their own way.  Friends and families should be aware that there is potential for both short and long term effects on people affected by disaster.

Below are some of the signs that a person is experiencing trauma:

• Stress and chronic arousal
• Physical health deteriorates
• Exhaustion and emotional liability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance abuse
• Indecisiveness
• Degraded social relationships

As well as emotional aspects of recovery it is important not to forget that both physical and economic recovery is crucial to rebuild communities affected by disaster.

We have seen a massive response to clean up at the local level.  Homes and businesses are being cleaned out and roads are being cleared.  The repair and rebuilding of homes, businesses and damaged infrastructure will take time and services that we often take for granted will at times be affected.

There is likely to be rental shortages and people will remain displaced for some time.  It is possible that we will see initial job losses particularly, in the area of small business.  Some businesses will be unable to re-open.  Other businesses will be affected because they can not afford to donate their services or people are donating the goods that they sell.  This can contribute to reduced sales, increased vulnerability and delayed economic recovery.

The Queensland Government has created a web page with information on Disaster Recovery and Assistance for affected communities .  Here you can find links to pages providing assistance in a range of areas including both health and financial assistance. 

Businesses need a plan to recover and rebuild to ensure their future resilience.  If you are a business recovering from the devastating floods in QLD, NSW or Victoria and you would like more information please contact us to discuss your needs further.