Disaster Research in Social Work

Rising to the occasion: Disaster social work in China

“…Social workers are known to play an important role in all phases of disaster management (Banerjee & Gillespie, 1994;Dodds & Nuehring, 1996;Padgett, 2002;Sim, 2010;Yanay and Benjamin, 2005) via micro-, meso-and macro-level interventions (Javadian, 2007;Zakour, 2007). These have helped to address the special needs of vulnerable groups affected by disasters during the response phase (Dominelli, 2009;Javadian, 2007;Sim, 2010;Webster, 1995;Zakour, 1996); and build social capital in disaster risk reduction (Mathbor, 2007;Gillespie & Murty, 1994;Mileti, 1999). Unfortunately, the profession has yet to successfully create a specialism on disaster management (Javadian, 2007), and social workers' voice has rarely been heard in the media and rarely been engaged in discussing issues of practice and policy (Dominelli, 2012).…”

Social work in disaster intervention: accounts from the grounds of Sichuan

“…In the past, social work interventions in disasters have mostly focused on the work of relief and recovery for the affected individuals, families, communities and organizations, and meeting the special needs of vulnerable groups (Cherry and Cherry 1996, Shahar 1993, Zakours 1996. However, some researchers believe that provision of relief and services is far too limiting a role for social work as a profession.…”

Guangzhou social workers in Yingxiu: a case study of social work intervention in the aftermath of the Sichuan 5.12 earthquake in China

“…Other scholars (e.g., Zhou et al 2001, Feng 2008, Lin 2008, Zakour 1996 have identified the main functions of social workers in disaster relief as follows: supporting disaster-affected individuals and families; promoting the networking of resources; taking care of the health problems of the disaster-affected people; preventing the collapse of individuals, families, groups, institutions, and communities; and changing the micro, mezzo and macro systems so as to enhance the well-being of the survivors. If these are the roles that social workers can play in disaster relief, it seems that they can do anything.…”

“…As Zakour (1996) states, facilitating access to resources and caring for the disadvantaged are essential roles of social workers in disaster relief. We followed the rule of 'helping the disadvantaged first' in disaster relief and social equality.…”