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It is generally believed that disaster victims and communities undergo the following recovery process before victims restore their lives and communities return to normal functions. However, since the recovery process is affected by various factors such as extent of damage, personal characteristics and regional characteristics, the process and time required for recovery vary among persons and communities.
Heroic period
(Immediately after disaster. |
Take courageous action regardless of one's own safety, to protect the lives and properties of oneself, family members or neighbors. |
Honeymoon period
(1 week - 6 months. |
Victims develop a strong sense of unity through the shared experience of a catastrophic disaster. Pinning their hopes on aid and assistance from outside, they help each other in clearing away rubble and debris. A warm atmosphere prevails in the disaster area. |
Period of
disillusionment
(2 months - 1 or 2 years. |
Victims' patience is exhausted. Dissatisfaction with delayed relief and government measures deepens. Victims' frustration can erupt into violence or anger. Drinking problems appear. Victims are busy solving personal problems and restoring their own lives, resulting in the loss of the sense of unity and a kind of battleship friendship in the community. |
Period of
reconstruction
(Several years. |
As the disaster area gradually returns to a "normal condition," victims also gain courage toward restoring their lives. They regain and increase self-confidence through active participation in the reconstruction of the community. However, people who have lost psychological support or feel left behind lead stressful lives. |
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Note: Time required for each process varies from person to person.
Source: David L. Romo (1995): Disaster and Psychological Care, p. 14, "Ask Human Care"
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