Managing the Human Dimension of Disasters: Caring for the Bereaved, Survivors and First Responders - Paperback

by Kjell Brataas (Author)

Managing the Human Dimension of Disasters provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis on how individuals cope with tragedy and loss.

Kjell Brataas gives a voice to those who have suffered and have been affected by unimaginable trauma. Noted experts recount stories and share their knowledge of how they assisted victims following tragedies such as the Manchester Arena bombing, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, terror attacks, several aircraft disasters and school shootings, the 9/11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. The book focuses on those affected by a disaster, including the bereaved, survivors and first responders. Leaders of support groups formed after these tragedies, trauma therapists and psychologists from three continents offer their experiences dealing with victims and the aftermath of disaster. Chapters provide guidance on memorializing tragedies, site visits, donation management, media relations, social media, grief counseling and human resilience. Readers will be shown that psychological support is critical after a disaster and learn from those who deal with emergencies.

Brataas' unmatched volume offers new understandings, recommendations, best practices and benchmarks on how best to assist victims in the aftermath of disaster. A valuable resource for students, researchers and practitioners.

Author Biography

Kjell Brataas has been on the front lines of crisis communication during some of Norway's most devastating crises. He has held important crisis management positions after the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya in 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Brataas has practical experience working with private companies and Norwegian government ministries. He has spoken at crisis communication conferences around the world, including those in London, Toronto, Istanbul, Sydney and Denver, and has lectured on crisis communication at the university level.