IASSI Quarterly
Year : 2005, Volume : 23, Issue : 4
First page : ( 81) Last page : ( 91)
Print ISSN : 0970-9061.

Social work skills in working with survivors of earthquake: A social work intervention

Iravani Mohammad Reza

Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran

Summary

The loss, grief and other problems are events that most people experience during their life. An earthquake is a disaster that makes people experience loss, grief and other problems simultaneously. This crisis affects survivors grievously as they face dangers to their own lives. Thus, most of them need support until they can solve their problems, be relaxed and revert to their daily activities. We know that the profession of social workers is to assist individuals who are seeking help. But there is a problem in such cases. How do they help their clients efficiently? Especially, those clients who have suffered from an earthquake? Generally, the role of social workers in helping the survivors of an earthquake is significant. To this end, the present paper tries to describe the process of social casework and the special skills required for social workers to help the survivors. These skills include: situational support, raising hope, consoling, counselling, assuring, concentrating on positive aspects of life, developing solutions and referrals.

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