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jorar 2026, 18(1): 38-44 |
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Khalili Dehkalbali H, Khalili J, Nemati M, Abedini NajafAbadi A, Sharifi Varposhti M. The Role of the Iranian Red Crescent Society in Shelter Management and Psychosocial Support for Disaster-Affected Individuals: Evidence from Kermanshah, Sistan and Baluchistan, Khuzestan, Golestan, and Lorestan Provinces. jorar 2026; 18 (1) :38-44
URL: http://jorar.ir/article-1-1049-en.html
URL: http://jorar.ir/article-1-1049-en.html
Hojatollah Khalili Dehkalbali * 
, Javad Khalili , Majid Nemati , Azar Abedini NajafAbadi , Morteza Sharifi Varposhti
, Javad Khalili , Majid Nemati , Azar Abedini NajafAbadi , Morteza Sharifi Varposhti
BSc in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract: (138 Views)
INTRODUCTION:This study aimed to investigate the role of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in shelter management and the provision of psychosocial support to survivors of natural disasters, including the 2017 Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake (Kermanshah province) and the floods occurring between 2019 and 2022 in Sistan and Baluchistan, Khuzestan, Golestan, and Lorestan provinces.
METHODS: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest control group design and was conducted among 80 disaster survivors supported by the IRCS in Kermanshah, Sistan and Baluchistan, Khuzestan, Golestan, and Lorestan provinces. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received psychosocial interventions, including psychological first aid training, stress management skills, relaxation techniques, and resilience-building activities, while the control group did not receive any structured intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and a researcher-developed questionnaire on shelter management and psychosocial support. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
FINDINGS: The findings indicated that IRCS psychosocial interventions significantly improved mental health, increased resilience, and enhanced shelter management capacity among participants. Provincial analysis showed that the intervention had the greatest effect in Kermanshah province, particularly in reducing anxiety among children and families. In Sistan and Baluchistan and Khuzestan provinces, a significant improvement in adult resilience was observed. However, the effect of the intervention on psychosocial outcomes among children under 15 years of age was smaller and not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that psychosocial interventions and structured shelter management by the IRCS can reduce psychological distress and improve resilience and coping capacity among disaster survivors and also highlight the importance of integrating psychosocial support with operational disaster response services. Continuous provision of psychosocial services is recommended as a key strategy for improving long-term recovery outcomes and strengthening community resilience in disaster settings.
METHODS: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest control group design and was conducted among 80 disaster survivors supported by the IRCS in Kermanshah, Sistan and Baluchistan, Khuzestan, Golestan, and Lorestan provinces. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received psychosocial interventions, including psychological first aid training, stress management skills, relaxation techniques, and resilience-building activities, while the control group did not receive any structured intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and a researcher-developed questionnaire on shelter management and psychosocial support. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
FINDINGS: The findings indicated that IRCS psychosocial interventions significantly improved mental health, increased resilience, and enhanced shelter management capacity among participants. Provincial analysis showed that the intervention had the greatest effect in Kermanshah province, particularly in reducing anxiety among children and families. In Sistan and Baluchistan and Khuzestan provinces, a significant improvement in adult resilience was observed. However, the effect of the intervention on psychosocial outcomes among children under 15 years of age was smaller and not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that psychosocial interventions and structured shelter management by the IRCS can reduce psychological distress and improve resilience and coping capacity among disaster survivors and also highlight the importance of integrating psychosocial support with operational disaster response services. Continuous provision of psychosocial services is recommended as a key strategy for improving long-term recovery outcomes and strengthening community resilience in disaster settings.
Keywords: Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), Shelter management, Psychosocial support, Resilience, Natural disasters.
Article Type: Research article |
Subject:
Other matters related to crisis, disasters and rescue & relief
References
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