By Jithendri Gomes
With what happened last Sunday, the people, we believe, were in shock more than anything else. We have forgotten what it was like to live in a war-doomed time and for the new generation of children, it is the first time they are experiencing such a devastating incident.
They may have a lot of questions as to why and how. With all sorts of information flying freely on all media outlets, we must be sensitive and careful regarding the material we expose to them and also ourselves. It has been a decade since a major bomb went off, let alone a series of them. Fear reins our hearts as we step out to go to work or stack up our supplies.
This article is a humble attempt to remind ourselves how to respond to a crisis of this nature, drawing from steps we would usually take during a natural disaster.
It feels like just yesterday that we went through floods and landslides as a nation. In May 2018, we faced this massive disaster which killed over 20 people and affected approximately 150,000 people across 19 districts. The moment it happened people from all ages, religions, nationalities, and areas gathered around the authorities to help the people. That’s where the beauty of our nation always lied.
Many sources including Oxford Research Encyclopaedias and experts break down the response efforts during a crisis – especially a natural disaster – to five steps.
Step one: Prevention
“Preventative actions are taken to avoid an incident and stop it from occurring. Actions such as deterrence operations and surveillance have a major part to play”. With what happened on Easter Sunday, there may have been very little an individual would have been able to do in terms of prevention. But moving forward there are some things we can do. The “Good Karma Clan” posted a list on how to identify a suicide bomber which got multiple shares quite fast. This list highlighted the items:
· Type of clothes: Whether it is loose and disproportional from the head or feet
· Unusual movements: Whether they are stiff, have relatively lower mobility, or decreased flexibility
· Display of tunnel vision: Whether they are fixated on a specific target or doesn’t respond to their surroundings
· Demonstration of forceful action
· Enlarged eye pupils
· Possession of a backpack with a hand in pocket
The article especially emphasised not being engaged with your mobile phones in public areas and to be vigilant and contact the necessary authorities immediately.
Step two: Preparedness
“Preparedness activities increase a community’s ability to respond when a disaster occurs. Typical preparedness measures include developing mutual aid agreements and memorandums of understanding, training both response personnel and concerned citizens, conducting disaster exercises to reinforce training and test capabilities, and presenting all-hazards education campaigns”. Something we can do right now is to be equipped with all the necessary numbers to notify in case of an emergency. Do not try to do it yourself. In a sensitive time like this, always notify the authorities who are trained to deal with it.
| Emergency Service | Telephone number |
| Police Emergency Hotline | 119/118 |
| Ambulance/ Fire and Rescue | 110 |
| Police Emergency Hotline (Mobile) | 112 |
| Army Emergency Hotline | 114 |
| Air Force Emergency Hotline | 116 |
| Emergency Ambulance Service | 1990 |
| Government Information Center | 1919 |
| Bomb Disposal Unit | 011-2434251 |
| Emergency Police Mobile Squad | 011-5717171 |
| Fire and Ambulance Service | 011-2422222 |
Make sure you have these numbers saved and be vigilant when you are on the road, or even at home. Be updated on the latest proceedings.
Step three: Response
“Response actions are carried out immediately before, during, and after a hazard impact. They are aimed at saving lives, reducing economic losses, and alleviating suffering. Response actions may include activating the emergency operations centre, evacuating threatened populations, opening shelters and providing mass care, emergency rescue and medical care, fire fighting, and urban search and rescue”. Most human beings immediately run away from the area of danger. What we saw on Sunday was different. The people around the area ran towards it and began to help out. This is not recommended for a crisis of any nature. But it is an accepted fact that the first responders will probably not be the first to respond.
Instead, the first people on the scene will be a combination of the staff and the institution’s safety and facilities personnel. If you think you are actually able to help by driving the injured to the hospital or calming the distressed it may be okay. But don’t put yourself in danger or get in the way of the authorities doing their job. It goes without saying that being a bystander is a big no.
Step four: Recovery
“Recovery actions are taken to return a community to normal or near-normal conditions. They include the restoration of basic services and the repair of physical, social, and economic damages. Typical recovery actions include debris clean up, financial assistance to individuals and governments, rebuilding of roads and bridges and key facilities, and sustained mass care for displaced human and animal populations”. This is when I believe our people become their best versions.
Immediately once the news came through, we saw many people crowding the blood bank to donate. It even came to a point where they officially stated that they have enough and for people to stop coming. There were groups collecting items needed at hospitals the very next day. Dry rations and water were collected to be distributed at the funeral homes.
Apart from addressing physical needs, organisations like The Ohana Project have come forward to assist with our mental wellbeing during this difficult time. They are spreading tips on how to cope during a crisis event and the tips includes:
· Create a balance in how you spend your time and be cautious not to spend too much time watching news
· Engage in deep breathing
· Stay hydrated
· Engage in relaxing activities
· Most importantly – reach out for help. They have provided three 24 hour hotlines in case you want to talk to someone – 1333, 1926 and 0717639898.
Sites like bakamoona.lk quoted healthychildren.org as their source, and spoke of the importance of talking to children of all ages regardless of their disabilities, about what is going on. Keeping your children away from graphic details and limiting their exposure to media is key. Children, just like adults, want to be able to understand enough so they know what is going on.
Tips are also shared to monitor if the child is coping well. Parents are advised to watch out for sleep problems like falling asleep, staying asleep, nightmares, and sleep disturbances and physical complaints like feeling tired, having a headache or generally feeling unwell, and eating too much or less than usual. Especially look out for changes in behaviour like signs of regressive behaviour such as acting more immature, becoming less patient or demanding, and a child who previously separated easily from their parents before becoming clingy. Teens may begin to use substances or change their current patterns of use. Children may also experience emotional problems like undue sadness, depression, and anxiety.
Step five: Recovery
“Mitigation refers to measures that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or reduce the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Typical mitigation measures include establishing building codes and zoning requirements, installing shutters, and constructing barriers such as levees”. The authorities have now advised all citizens to carry their national identity cards while travelling at all times. If you are parking your vehicle on the road, you must display your contact number and name for them to easily access you in case of any suspicions.
This is the stage where blocking of all social media sites come to effect. We must understand that it is done within reason. Most of us have downloaded VPNs in order to continue the daily use of social media but it is important now to be cautious. We must not, at any point, circulate any information that has been reported from an unreliable source. Many are claiming to have friends in high places and spreading unverified news. This will only instil more fear in people. Yes it is good to be cautious, but we also have to understand that it will give way to a lot of repercussions like crowds resorting to radicalising behaviours. With a state of emergency now being declared, it is considered a punishable act of terrorism.
Apart from the authorised media outlets like news bulletins, newspapers, and radio, we also have trustworthy people on social media sharing news. Azzam Ameen and Yudhanjaya Wijeratne are two names that we have seen frequently in the past few days. The difference is that they are sharing news that is verified with the source stated. Do not pass on messages and mention “forward as received”. If you receive such information, keep it to yourself and overlook it. Do not pass it along. We must understand that all our social media accounts are being monitored. So do not get into unwanted trouble by misusing our smart devices and social media outlets.
Way forward
We have a long way to go in terms of establishing our country’s national security and protecting our country from collapsing economically. We have to stop playing the blame game. Do not be fixated on the wrong things. Yes, our government has to be questioned about their inability to warn and prevent such an inhumane attack but it is not a priority right now. We must stop debating and rise up as a nation to fight this disease. In the days to come, focus on your safety, on your loved ones, and surroundings and be positive. Help each other out. Do not let fear drive you. Spread positivity and love. No religion promotes harm and destruction. We have to come together and overcome it as a nation, just like we do every time a disaster hits us. Play your part and play it well.
