Chile Earthquake 2010. Vulnerability and uncertainty against the threat

In emergencies and disasters, people, groups and communities react according to the magnitude of the event, the degree of exposure they have had the same, the magnitude of its losses, its history, prior preparation and support systems and support social and family they have available.

One wonders what leads some people to collect products despite having no urgent material needs. Apparently there is a need for another order, related to the perception of one's own human vulnerability, which seek to be "calm" by such a collection of inputs.

The emotional impact to the integrity threat is severe and is aggravated in cases like Chile for the continuing aftershocks, which deepened the sense of insecurity and instability, and deepened the perception of vulnerability of people. The human being vulnerable but it is known psychological mechanisms that help them adapt to life every day, make plans, study, work, etc.. at all times regardless of the idea of ​​death.

Note the destruction without the possibility of something immediately to solve it generates powerlessness, insecurity and uncertainty. Perhaps for this reason that people react in a seemingly "incomprehensible" or "inconsiderate" (for no apparent need to collect?) Most of the time is not selfishness or disregard for others, but reactions of fear and insecurity about the vulnerability.

Obviously the differences in personality and social attitudes related to altruism, empathy and solidarity, manifest in the everyday and the extraordinary.

This depends not only on the values ​​internalized, but the coping resources of each, consisting of personal, familial, cultural, educational, its history, its earlier losses and resolution and also by economic factors and access to goods to meet basic needs.

Everyone has skills, abilities, and strengths and weaknesses and difficulties. It depends on many factors that one or the other is put into play in situations of emergency. To those already mentioned, you can add the socio-cultural, learned values, human groups (family, neighborhood, church, club, etc.) that are a real support in these situations, help to tolerate uncertainty, favor the organization and contain extreme reactions.

As in all societies, there is always a small percentage of reactions mismatched, mismatch, sometimes with criminal actions (probably with a history before the disaster).

The resilience is directly related to the ability to recognize strengths and weaknesses and working steadily to resolve the problems.

Moreover, although there are always spontaneous reactions, you can also learn to respond in the most appropriate way possible with a sustained training that responds to a state policy regarding preparedness and disaster risk reduction.

The best help "psychological" than can be afforded to victims in the early stages, is the satisfaction of basic needs for food, shelter and safety. These actions, beyond being an obligation of the authorities in charge, are very important for people to begin to recover from the impact of what happened, relying on the institutions that offer them protection. It is essential that people see that the authorities take over and control the situation even with some initial disorder and difficulties, but realistically, with a progressive restoration of order.

Confidence in institutions and respect for the roles each one must meet in front of the emergency, are needed to address the crisis and meet the challenges of reconstruction.

The media plays in this sense, a very important role to assist in the dissemination of truthful information, without sensationalism, favoring the recognition of needs, and building bridges between the victims and all channels of help available.