Addressing the Hidden Psychological Costs of Disasters and Conflicts in the Context of Forced Migration

Abstract

This article shares lessons learned from my service with the refugees in the United States and the Middle East and my research on disaster displacement in Asia. Based on these experiences and studies, I found disconnections in disaster response phases and cultural differences are the two major factors that might aggregate the psychological effects after a traumatic event. Moreover, forced migration is a moving part often overlooked in the process. This lack of comprehensive planning exacerbates the problem. I argue that facing squarely the psychological costs, recognizing the deficiencies in connecting forced migration and disaster risk reduction and management, and considering cultural aspects may lead to the best approach to improve the current practice.

Keywords: Disasters, Forced Migration, Mental Health, Internal Displacement, Refugees