Social services are crucial in emergency situations because they help address not just the immediate but also the long-term needs of individuals and communities affected by crises.
On Thursday 31 October, two days after extreme floods left more than 200 deaths in Valencia (Spain), ESN member, the General Council of Social Work, activated 56 emergency social workers through its national emergency group and mobilised more than 350 social workers with experience in emergency situations to provide support to those in need. It did so in a coordinated manner with social workers from neighbouring towns and communities.
As we have witnessed in previous crises, social services professionals trained to deal with emergencies are key to preventing the exacerbation of existing social vulnerabilities that could lead to long-term social exclusion for families and vulnerable people. These emergencies remind us that it is essential that public services have in place crisis prevention and recovery plans that address both the most immediate consequences of crises and post-emergency recovery.
Social workers from the National Emergency Group were trained with the Spanish army’s emergency unit and follow a similar plan: a segmentation of municipalities to create a map of needs and go door to door to locate the most vulnerable residents, such as people with dependency needs, older people, people with mental health issues or disabilities, and people who require home care. “Local authorities’ social services have been crucial working with the national emergency group to identify populations at risk thanks to their local knowledge”, explained Emiliana Vicente, President of the General Council of Social Work.
Social workers from this emergency group coordinated with social services staff in the region’s local authorities that had insufficient means to cover needs in normal circumstances, let alone in such a large-scale crisis. They conducted an analysis of needs to determine what types of interventions should be put in place, knocked door to door, mobilised human and technical resources, supported vulnerable people with claims to insurers and public authorities and helped to find accommodation for those who needed it. They also assisted with health and social needs, provided medication, and offered social and emotional support to many people who had been affected by the floods.
Managing long-term grief
In common with previous crisis situations, such as the grief following deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic, floods in Germany, the volcano eruption in the Canary Islands, or terrorist attacks. It is important that public services work together to ensure that social vulnerability is addressed so people are properly supported. Much of this vulnerability in Valencia is now emerging as people mourn the death of their relatives or witness their towns’ devastation. This means that professionals must support people in rebuilding their lives and life projects, alongside their material possessions.
This involves strengthening local social services teams to address what is yet to come and helping people with their social and emotional damage. It is essential that public services ensure an agile response and provide safety so that people know they are supported in their process of rebuilding their lives back.
With all of this in mind, the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights approved a decree on November 11 that included 50 million euros to reinforce social services in the affected municipalities. Rosa Martinez, Spain’s Secretary for Social Rights (also an ESN member), stressed the need to address the social consequences of the extreme floods beyond material damage: “We must not forget the social consequences that can be unleashed for many families and vulnerable people as a consequence of these crises,” she said. “No person affected by these extreme floods should become a victim of social exclusion, and for this it is key to have in place specialist social workers who know how to protect people in need in these emergency situations.”
Emergency social services should be part of public authorities’ crisis prevention and recovery plans. Their role is vital to help people affected by crises recover after adversity as they put in place immediate crisis interventions, coordinate action with other public services, address social vulnerabilities and promote long-term recovery. Emergency social services provide basic needs support like food and shelter, social and emotional first aid and emotional support to individuals experiencing trauma, stress, or grief. They coordinate with other agencies to help people access government programmes and advocate for children, older people, people with disabilities and other at-risk populations who are disproportionally affected by emergencies.
Emergencies can leave lasting psychological impact. Social services provide counselling and coping strategies to mitigate the effects of trauma. By fostering emotional recovery and building community networks, social services help individuals regain a sense of normalcy, which is vital for long-term social recovery.
The role of social services is vital in ensuring that emergency response efforts transition smoothly into longer-term recovery plans. ensuring that human needs are met holistically, including preparing communities for future emergencies, hence reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience. Beyond immediate relief, social services help address the root causes of vulnerabilities, support people and communities to restore livelihoods, and improve preparedness for future emergencies. This is why investing in emergency social services is vital for long-term post-emergency recovery.
