drill reflection
Artists have unique contributions to responding, restoring, recovering, reconstructing, and building capacity in the relief and recovery process. The Arts Relief Disaster Drill and accompanying Child Trauma Assessment Evaluation Checklist was an enlightening introduction to a disaster response. The brief disaster role play video provided an opportunity to observe manifestations of trauma in the behavior, body language, verbal communication of the child and her interactions with others. In the drill, the adult relief responders followed protocols to ensure her safety. The arts relief and recovery protocols inform creative artists of their role of second-responders in an environment in which a disaster has occurred. The following protocols teach the artist how to enter, work, and leave a community in crisis in a healthy, effective, and safe way.
First, it is important to know the objective of the arts relief and recovery intervention before the trip to the site. Personal and team preparations and planning must occur, including steps such as applying for visas, obtaining proper clearances, packing, and getting vaccinations. When entering a site, wear gear that easily identifies individuals as part of the relief group. Enter a community only when formally introduced by a community member with influence, or by an established and trusted relief organization. Once on site, the appointed group leader will direct various teams (e.g. medical and health, site safe spaces, and child wellness and development teams) to make assessments and create safe spaces in which the team will work. Immediate assessments of the community are made to identify needs, observe local assets (such as people, resources, and locations) and a plan is developed.
The creation of safe spaces is critical to create an atmosphere in which disaster victims and second-responders can be emotionally, physically, and creatively safe from harm. Throughout a collaborative relief effort, it is important to maintain respect and build bridges with other relief professionals and members of the community. When assessing effectiveness, set objectives, indicators, and methods of assessment (e.g. pre and post tests, arts-based assessment, semi-structured interviews, etc). Finally, when exiting a site, perform a leaving ritual, say goodbyes, debrief, evaluate data, write reports, seek recommendations, and prepare for any reverse culture shock upon return to the home country. When dealing with traumatized communities, these protocols for creative-artist-second-responders are critical to protecting vulnerable people from being re-traumatized.
First, it is important to know the objective of the arts relief and recovery intervention before the trip to the site. Personal and team preparations and planning must occur, including steps such as applying for visas, obtaining proper clearances, packing, and getting vaccinations. When entering a site, wear gear that easily identifies individuals as part of the relief group. Enter a community only when formally introduced by a community member with influence, or by an established and trusted relief organization. Once on site, the appointed group leader will direct various teams (e.g. medical and health, site safe spaces, and child wellness and development teams) to make assessments and create safe spaces in which the team will work. Immediate assessments of the community are made to identify needs, observe local assets (such as people, resources, and locations) and a plan is developed.
The creation of safe spaces is critical to create an atmosphere in which disaster victims and second-responders can be emotionally, physically, and creatively safe from harm. Throughout a collaborative relief effort, it is important to maintain respect and build bridges with other relief professionals and members of the community. When assessing effectiveness, set objectives, indicators, and methods of assessment (e.g. pre and post tests, arts-based assessment, semi-structured interviews, etc). Finally, when exiting a site, perform a leaving ritual, say goodbyes, debrief, evaluate data, write reports, seek recommendations, and prepare for any reverse culture shock upon return to the home country. When dealing with traumatized communities, these protocols for creative-artist-second-responders are critical to protecting vulnerable people from being re-traumatized.