THE IMPACT OF HURRICANE KATRINA_by Wilson Mugambi Arimi

There are no doubts at all that the impact of Hurricane Katrina has caused a great loss of life, faith, hope, displacement and separation of families, destruction of communities and means of livelihood, and destruction of shelter and property. The main victims of this natural catastrophe, has been families, who were caught up by this humongous and monstrous act of nature, and forced into a kind of life they never ever imaged of living earlier on. As a result of the havoc and turmoil that has been rent by Katrina, various sections of the family life cycles have been so much traumatized.
Trauma[1] has been inflicted by a number of factors; loss of life especially loved ones, physical injuries, feelings of abandonment and rejection and actual abandonment plus rejection, feelings of being unwanted, separation, loss property, loss of shelter, loss of faith, loss of hope, ailment, a sense of being a burden to the society and social misfits, and sometimes being labeled a pathology of the society. The victims have found themselves questioning the purpose of their government and especially when it is the only superpower in the world. They have been made to doubt the superpowerness of their great country. The disaster has forced some to question even the very existence of God. This has resulted to a state of nihilism[2] in some cases.
According to various researches and reports from experts dealing with the victims, it has been reported and established that many victims have experienced a range of symptoms. Some of these symptoms have been recognized as intense and unpredictable feelings, difficult in concentrating and making decisions, flashbacks or nightmares, irritability and strained relationships with persons around an individual (ones family, friends, or those one fled the wrath of the hurricane with), problems in sleeping, problems in eating, headaches, nausea, fast-beating hearts and aggravated symptoms of a preexisting health conditions.
So, our goal and aim in this case as ministers, is to try to bring hope, healing, find help from experts in order for them to resume their original normal life. When it comes to helping the victims/survivors heal, recover or cope with the impact, it is prudent to recognize and realize that, according to research, it has been established that each person will respond in his or her own way. “Persons who have been through previous traumatic losses or events may experience more intense reactions and may need more time to recover.”
Our case study is therefore centered on three groups of the victim/survivors: (A). Children (Ages 6 and up). (B). Adults and (C). Elderly. (Each individual will table their findings)
So, the main goal and objective of this case study is geared toward finding ways of helping the victims/survivors find hope, healing and receive help in order to achieve a balance between grieving for the losses and focus on attaining basic human needs, find a meaning and benevolence in the world. It is advisable therefore, to realize and recognize that traumatized persons are not only survivors but also victims. This realization and recognition will go a long way in helping the ministers to handle the victims with tact.
The first step toward helping the victims/survivors starts their journey of recovery, is for the counselor to identify ways which will help the victims cope with their situations. This can be achieved by formulating various strategies. Some of the general recommended strategies according to “Menninger Clinic Trauma Experts on coping with emotional effects of Katrina” are: 1.Allowing time for the victim to mourn the losses by expecting sometimes volatile emotions. It is also good to start a journal. 2. Relieving stress in healthy ways by avoiding such substances like alcohol and drugs, and to exercising regularly to relieve stress.3. Establishing a routine for oneself and ones family even at the shelter or home of someone the victims are staying with. 4. Finding hope by borrowing it from others e.g. the clergy and counselors. 5. Finding confidantes and talking about one’s experience in whatever ways one may feel comfortable.6. Starting to actively solve problems by seeking out and taking advantage of the relief provided. 7. Engaging with children in play or recreation activities. Children may be silently worried that they will lose you, too. 8. Responding to children question in terms they will understand and reassuring them repeatedly that one cares about them and understands their fears. 9. Reducing the watching of the news, to avoid relieving the whole experience again, through the repetition of the events through the pictures shown and sounds heard in the TV.
All this is geared toward fostering resiliency[3] in the victims/survivors in order to help the victims overcome and bounce back to normal life after the adversity and disruption which has been caused by the impact. Hope is the key toward recovery. When hope is lost nihilism sets in.
[1] An injury or wound; an emotional shock causing injury to the subconscious which may have lifelong effects
[2] A state of hopelessness, powerlessness, and faithlessness useless, valueless and feeling an loved.
[3] The ability to recover after a traumatic event