Humanitarian Crises: The Need for Cultural Competence and Local Capacity Building

Human Responses and Adaptation in a Changing Climate: A Framework Integrating Biological, Psychological, and Behavioural Aspects

“…Children and the elderly must be considered too: children show vulnerability especially in terms of long-lasting or irreversible outcomes [ 60 , 61 , 62 ], showing post-traumatic reactive phenomena [ 63 ]; during disasters, they can be separated from their families, schools, or childcare centres, and at a later time, it can be harder for them to continue their education [ 64 ] or they may show poorer academic performance [ 65 ], while elderly people are notoriously attached to their environment and share the same vulnerabilities of individuals who are disabled, chronically ill, or with pre-existing medical conditions [ 41 ]. Other vulnerable groups include people with mental illness, homeless, minorities, migrants, and refugees [ 66 ] that generally have limited access to resources and lack the adaptive capacity to protect themselves [ 53 ], with the risk of negative mental health outcomes [ 67 ]. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that many environmental events can cause displacement, but the concept of a climate displaced person is still vague with no clear legal protection [ 68 ], so that climate migrants might struggle with isolation, unreliable living and working conditions, or discrimination, as well as frequent physical and mental health problems [ 69 ].…”

Human Responses and Adaptation in a Changing Climate: A Framework Integrating Biological, Psychological and Behavioural Aspects

“…Children and the elderly must be considered too: children show vulnerability especially in term of long-lasting or irreversible outcomes [59]- [61], during disasters they can be separated from their families, schools or childcare centers and at a later time it can be harder for them to continue their education [62] or they may show poorer academic performance [63], while elderly people are notoriously attached to their environment and share the same vulnerabilities of individuals who are disabled, chronically ill or with pre-existing medical conditions [40]. Other vulnerable groups include people with mental illness, homeless, minorities, migrants, and refugees [64] that generally have limited access to resources and lack the adaptive capacity to protect themselves [52], with the risk of negative mental health outcomes [65]. Moreover, it worth mentioning that many environmental events can cause displacement, but the concept of a climate displaced person is still vague with no clear legal protection [66], so that climate migrants might struggle with isolation, unreliable living and working conditions or discrimination, as well as frequent physical and mental health problems [67].…”

The Emotional Toll of Climate Change on Science Professionals

“…Hobfoll (2007 transportation; housing design and construction (to withstand extreme weather and heat); and health care (Edwards & Wiseman, 2011). Community mental health infrastructure should also be assessed (Weissbecker & Czinez, 2011). Public health agencies are one channel through which adaptation and preparation of infrastructure can be encouraged and guided.…”