The Centre’s Outreach Team works with Local Authorities in regions affected by wildfires
As of July the 19th, the Centre for the Study of Social and Humanitarian Crises has placed members of its outreach team at the disposal of the authorities working in the fire-affected areas of Attica. In a letter to Regional Authorities as well as the National Civil Protection Services, the Centre formally informed the authorities that teams of experts have already been put on standby, ready to support the affected communities. Members of the Centre are in direct contact and co-operation with fire-affected Municipalities of Northeastern Attica with the aim of supporting social and civil protection services.
Local Authorities in the affected regions have already responded positively and our outreach team works with them in order to assess local needs.
The letter that was sent to the Regional Authorities, treads as follows:
Subject: Supporting efforts to deal with the consequences of the ongoing catastrophic event in Northeast Attica
We would like to inform you that the Centre for the Study of Social and Humanitarian Crises, of the University of Western Attica, is available and ready to assist in the efforts to deal with the consequences of the wildfires raging in Northeast Attica.
The Centre for the Study of Social and Humanitarian Crises focuses on field interventions and interdisciplinary research related to Social and Humanitarian Crises.
The interdisciplinary nature of the Center ensures the comprehensive and multidimensional analysis of the causes and consequences of crises resulting from human-made and natural disasters. The Research Center primarily consists of social scientists and psychologists supported by engineers and public health experts. Furthermore, the Centre benefits from a wide range of international collaborations that include prominent academic centers in the United States (Yale, Harvard University, Brown University) and Great Britain (Cambridge University, University of Sussex).
Our outreach teams could assist the Local Government, Regional Authorities, and the affected communities through:
– Strengthening of Psycho-Social Services
– Supervision, coordination, and support of professionals who provide psychosocial first aid interventions.
– Risk assessment and crisis management advice with an emphasis on supporting the most vulnerable groups of the population.
-Advocacy services
– Post-disaster recovery planning
