Disaster and development: an occupational perspective chapter 6: LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF SURVIVORS: THE FLOODS OF 2003 IN SANTA FE, ARGENTINA

1. DISASTER AND DEVELOPMENT
AN OCCUPATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

2. ÷

3. LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF SURVIVORS: THE FLOODS OF
2003 IN SANTA FE, ARGENTINA
The story of a group of Argentinian occupational therapy practitioners,
some of whom were affected by the 2003 floods in Santa Fe, Argentina, and
felt compelled to try to understand the experience of disaster from the
perspective of occupation and occupational therapy. The stories of survivors
caused them to reexamine the theories and practical knowledge that guide
their practice and illuminated occupational dimensions of disaster,
resilience and recovery.
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4. CONTEXT
 The floods in the city of Santa Fe in 2003 were one of the biggest national catastrophes that had taken
place in the last few years.
 They directly affected 130 000 people
 a result of weak infrastructure and carelessness on the part of the government, which caused the Salado
River to overflow.
 By nightfall 20 people had died
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5. THE STUDY OF OCCUPATION AND STAGE OF CATASTROPHE
Stage Of
Catastrophe
Pre
catastrophe
catastrophe
Post
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6. CATASTROPHE
 Imbalance in their occupation
 Roles, routines and habits were suddenly inaccessible.
 Occupational duties.
 Occupational place in catastrophe
1. Emergency house or campsa
2. Flooded house
 Perception of time
 Older people
 Feeling of humiliation
 People are inherently occupational beings.
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7. POST CATASTROPHE
 Returning to the house, work and study.
 Others didn’t return to their house : Pain, Memories and loss.
 Sense of anger
 Disagreement
 Symbolic value
 Occupations lost meaning
 New meaning
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8.  Occupation and loss
1. Loss of object and place of occupation
2. Death
3. Crying
4. Fell silent
5. Two types attitudes:
a) To recover as much as possible
b) Some people clung to what was lost.
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POST CATASTROPHE

9.  Occupation and power of decision-making
1. Sense of control over their own lives. From the small more manageable like eating, sleeping to bigger decisions like work.
 The most effective support and help
1. Families, neighbours, friends and work colleagues
2. Government
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POST CATASTROPHE

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Occupation and needs
Work Housing
Secure
atmosphere
Justice

11.  Occupation and context
 Occupation and memory
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POST CATASTROPHE

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