As the volcano continues to roar, the number of evacuated people now rises to

more than 6,500

, many of whom will not have a home to return to.

Others, somewhat more fortunate, will have it, but it may not seem the same after the emergency experienced and the devastation that they will find around them.

Scientists and professionals who face the emergency on the ground have highlighted these days the

exemplary behavior of the population

. There are several keys that have allowed the affected people to evacuate quickly and without incident, although the inexorable advance of the lava is destroying their homes and properties, something inevitable from the moment the volcano erupted.

“In these types of situations, in which there is a potential danger to life and safety of people,

there are three types of reactions: flight, fight or paralysis. How do you avoid having that fight against something that we cannot control?

Or that paralysis? Well, as has been done this time: giving a lot of information to the population and giving as much advance notice as possible ", explains

Mónica Pereira

, an expert in Emergency Psychology.

“If we give

assurance

, as managers of the emergency, that we know what we are doing, that we have a forecast of how this emergency is going to progress, the population listens to us and follows us.

If our information is confusing, varied, today we say one thing and tomorrow we say another, the population does not believe us and a feeling of insecurity is generated, which has not happened in this case ”, adds Pereira.

"The evacuation has been done with time,

the things that are important to people have been taken into account, such as pets or farm animals,

" Pereira emphasizes.

Communication is essential.

Not that trauma is counteracted, but it does minimize it

Mónica Pereira, expert in Emergency Psychology

And that has been another important aspect: “People need to know that they can do something to get out of the situation they are in. Because

uncertainty drives us out of control, it makes us feel incapable

. That is why it is necessary, and that is why it is being done, to provide tools to manage. The fact of having a place to go, of being able to communicate with loved ones, of having animals safe ... For people who have animals, they are either their livelihood or are part of their family; therefore, they need to feel that this is solved ", emphasizes the psychologist.

«In this case, this evacuation has been taken into account and carried out. Therefore, a feeling of security is being given that is very good for people, despite losing their safe place, which is home, ”says Pereira, before elaborating on another key to confront one with guarantees. emergency: «

Communication is essential

. It is not that trauma is counteracted, because it is possible that there are people who experience it a lot of anguish, but it does minimize it ».

An example: «First they explained why it is necessary to have the roads free, and then they asked please

not to occupy the roads to take pictures or videos

of the situation.

In other words, first they put you on the importance of what is happening, so that later you know why you cannot do it.

It is another of the things we need: to understand why we have to do things, ”says Pereira.

"First it is necessary for the population to understand the level of importance and then what is the action to take, so that they are prepared to take that action."

It is "very important", emphasizes the expert, to

act before the confusion spreads

.

If confusion or fear has already spread, it may be too late.

«When a person is already in crisis, what we tell him he does not process, he does not understand it cognitively.

It only reacts with the reptilian, with those three possibilities [flight, fight, paralysis].

Hence the importance of giving early warning, when people have not yet lost control.

The challenge of getting back to normal

«The period in which those affected are cared for by professionals, and they have everyone pending, passes with pain, but with a feeling of shelter and external protection.

When the emergency period is over and the return to 'normal' life begins, it is when there is the greatest danger that mental health will be damaged.

Because, in addition, they can feel abandoned ", warns Pereira.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

See links of interest

  • La Palma volcano live

  • Last News

  • Work calendar

  • Home THE WORLD TODAY

  • Master data new narratives

  • BAXI Manresa - Valencia Basket

  • UCAM Murcia - Coosur Real Betis

  • Monbus Obradoiro - Joventut de Badalona

  • MoraBanc Andorra - Real Madrid

  • Baskonia - Urbas Fuenlabrada