Reflecting on disaster

The three most recent posts on Jason Goroncy's blog relate to the devastating second Christchurch earthquake.

One offers two poems/reflections by Walter Brueggemann, the second is called, Christchurch: a pastoral reflection, and the third is reprint of a theological reflection by Frank Rees on his own experience of disaster called God of the Tsunami.

Rees is Principal and Professor of Systematic Theology at Whitley College in Melbourne, and this paper was first presented at a conference in South Korea.

Coping after a tsunami

Many people in Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa, as well as in New Zealand, have experienced acute stress following the tsunami - this is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Most people will manage, and when social needs are met, distress will subside over time. However, there are some
people that will have more profound reactions, particularly later on sometime after the event, and will require assistance.

Dr Monique Niumata-Faleafa and Dr Francis Agnew have produced a pdf Fact Sheet on the sort of things people may experience after living through the crisis of a tsunami, and offer a variety of helps for those in need.

They look at normal reactions, positive ways of coping, and when it is necessary to ask for help.   There is also an extensive list of places to contact for additional help.