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jorar 2026, 18(1): 40-47 |
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Khalili Dehkalbali H, Talakoub M, Khalili J, Nemati M, Sharifi M. The Role of the Red Crescent Society in Shelter Management and Psychosocial Support for Disaster Survivors: A Case Study of Kermanshah, Sistan and Baluchistan, Khuzestan, Golestan, and Lorestan Provinces. jorar 2026; 18 (1) :40-47
URL: http://jorar.ir/article-1-1049-en.html
URL: http://jorar.ir/article-1-1049-en.html
BA in Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract: (41 Views)
INTRODUCTION:This study aimed to investigate the role of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in managing shelters and providing psychosocial support to survivors of natural disasters, including the 2017 Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake (Kermanshah province) and the floods of 2019 to 2022 in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan, Khuzestan, Golestan, and Lorestan provinces.
METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design among 80 survivors of RCS natural disasters in Kermanshah, Sistan and Baluchistan, Khuzestan, Golestan, and Lorestan provinces. The subjects (40 people) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent psychosocial interventions including psychological first aid training, stress management skills, relaxation techniques, and resilience building, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were then collected using validated General Health Questionnaires (GHQ), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC) and a researcher-made questionnaire on shelter management and psychosocial support, and data analyzed by ANCOVA.
FINDINGS: According to the findings, the RCS’s psychosocial interventions significantly improved mental health, increased resilience, and enhanced the capacity of disaster shelter management. Also, training in Kermanshah province had the greatest impact on reducing anxiety among students and families, while in Sistan and Baluchistan and Khuzestan provinces, adults’ resilience was affected by the interventions. In addition, the effect of the intervention on psychosocial support for children under 15 years of age was smaller and insignificant.
CONCLUSION: The results showed that psychosocial interventions and systematic management of shelters by the RCS reduced the psychological distress of disaster survivors and improved their resilience and capacity to manage shelters. Therefore, continuity of psychosocial services are recommended as a key factor for improving long-term outcomes. In fact, these results emphasize the importance of combining practical and psychological interventions in reducing the psychological and social consequences of crises.
METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design among 80 survivors of RCS natural disasters in Kermanshah, Sistan and Baluchistan, Khuzestan, Golestan, and Lorestan provinces. The subjects (40 people) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent psychosocial interventions including psychological first aid training, stress management skills, relaxation techniques, and resilience building, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were then collected using validated General Health Questionnaires (GHQ), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC) and a researcher-made questionnaire on shelter management and psychosocial support, and data analyzed by ANCOVA.
FINDINGS: According to the findings, the RCS’s psychosocial interventions significantly improved mental health, increased resilience, and enhanced the capacity of disaster shelter management. Also, training in Kermanshah province had the greatest impact on reducing anxiety among students and families, while in Sistan and Baluchistan and Khuzestan provinces, adults’ resilience was affected by the interventions. In addition, the effect of the intervention on psychosocial support for children under 15 years of age was smaller and insignificant.
CONCLUSION: The results showed that psychosocial interventions and systematic management of shelters by the RCS reduced the psychological distress of disaster survivors and improved their resilience and capacity to manage shelters. Therefore, continuity of psychosocial services are recommended as a key factor for improving long-term outcomes. In fact, these results emphasize the importance of combining practical and psychological interventions in reducing the psychological and social consequences of crises.
Keywords: Red Crescent Society (RCS), 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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