The project objectives focus on equipping citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective support to disaster survivors while promoting empathy, self-care, and community resilience and raising awareness about the possible traumatization of natural disaster victims. It will develop modular training resources which provide comprehensive guidance and support to family and neighbours as helpers, enabling them to assist natural disaster victims with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a better understanding of their mental health.

The objectives include:

• Train helpers to recognize signs of trauma and psychological distress in disaster victims during and after an event.
• Educate helpers on the psychological effects of natural disasters, including post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, and grief.
• Teach effective communication and active listening skills to foster empathy and understanding when interacting with disaster survivors.
• Provide training on basic psychological first aid and emotional support techniques that neighbours and relatives can use to help disaster victims cope with their immediate emotional needs.
• Promote self-care practices among helpers to prevent burnout and emotional exhaustion when providing support to disaster survivors.
• Empower helpers to contribute to community resilience by taking an active role in disaster preparedness and response efforts.

These resources will be available on an interactive e-platform and as mobile app for Android smartphones in English and all languages of the partnership, with parts of the contents also in audio format.

More info: www.natural-disaster-victims.eu