Article EU guidelines disasters, trauma
Introduction to the public part
In the Netherlands, after shocking events such as disasters and major catastrophes, early psychosocial interventions are offered. These interventions are also referred to as acute psychological trauma support. Individual (BIG-registered) relief workers (workers who are registered under the Dutch Individual Health Care Professions Act), non-profit organisations and also private organisations are engaged in providing this type of relief.
There is increasing demand for early psychosocial interventions. Disasters in the Netherlands, such as the Bijlmer aviation disaster, the Enschede firework disaster and the café fire in Volendam have shown that the psychosocial effects and the health effects of a disaster last longer than was initially thought, sometimes even for years. So psychosocial care is essential, but it must be offered in accordance with the latest practices that have been shown to be effective.
