By: Gina Hechanova, Psychological Association of the Philippines (special to InterAksyon.com)
Nilo’s home was badly damaged and he lost a sibling to super typhoon Yolanda.
He reported to work because he would otherwise lose his job. He helped distribute relief goods that he was not allowed to avail of even when his own family badly needed aid too.
He tries to go about his work even when his roof is just a plastic sheet and he worries how his family is faring every time it rains. He is bothered because his youngest child does not seem to be getting better but he doesn’t have the time or resources to bring her to Cebu to see a specialist.
As he speaks, he constantly rubs his temple as if willing his constant headache away. He barely gets sleep because he wakes up at the slightest sound at night -- worried about robbers. Nilo is exhausted, grieving, anxious and showing signs of acute stress.
Lisa is a civil servant. She has been working non-stop for the past six weeks. Hearing hundred of stories of trauma, she has become quite numb.
The other day, she went to an ATM and people in line, seeing her uniform, angrily complained to her about the government. She is glassy-eyed and dead-tired.
Nilo and Lisa are like many government and military personnel in Region 8 who survived Yolanda but have had to go out and help others and who are now badly in need of support themselves. They continue to work but there is a brewing anger and resentment that their employer does not care about them.
Our initial data shows about a quarter of survivors are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorders. Vicarious trauma is also a real risk for government workers who constantly deal with survivors. Survivors only have their stories. Those who care for them bear all their stories.
There is much attention being paid to helping survivors of Yolanda and yet what appears to be missing is concerted support for government and military personnel in the frontlines of delivering that help.
Although there are some agencies that are now beginning to provide support for their personnel, a good part of the support government workers really need is at the level of national policy and strategy.
The prices of basic goods in Tacloban are reported to be three times normal.
Instead of requiring survivors to immediately report for work, could the government not have deployed workers from different regions?
There is talk about a meager fund to help survivors and we wonder whether the P20,000 to P50,000 being bandied about will be enough to rebuild a house. More importantly, government workers who are also typhoon survivors wonder who will rebuild their homes if they are still working in the field.
There is talk that they will be allowed to go on leave but this has yet to be formalized.
Beyond better plans, systems and structures, what government survivors also need is a leadership that recognizes their humanity. Instead of hearing their leaders ask, “Why are you not at work?” couldn’t their leaders first have asked them,“How are you? Are you and your family okay?”
Our government workers are a vital cog in the task of recovery and rebuilding. But if they are to do their jobs and do these well, our government workers who are also storm survivors need to be treated as human beings with needs.
They require resources and psychosocial support. They also need the time to rest and attend to their families and homes. And this support needs to be given before they reach breaking point.
Dr. Gina Hechanova is the president of the Psychological Association of the Philippines and the chair of the Ateneo Department of Psychology.
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