Mental health and psychosocial aspects of disaster preparedness in Myanmar

Myanmar as a country in South-East Asia is vulnerable to disasters including storms, floods, fire, earth fall, earthquakes, depending on the geographical nature and climate of the area. The National Health Committee (NHC) of Myanmar has formed under it an Emergency Healthcare Committee. After the Asian tsunami, the Ministry of Health (MoH) formed the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee which developed the National Guidelines for Disasters Preparedness and Response. The experience of dealing with the tsunami has shown that psychosocial support to the affected community not only reduces its psychological distress but can also facilitate physical rehabilitation. Thus mental health and psychosocial aspects have been included in disaster preparedness and management plans of the MoH.