Nordic walking as part of community rebuilding at Fukushima
We remember the terrible events at Fukushima when many lives were lost. What may not be as well known is the emotional healing that is part of the rebuilding. Here is an intriguing use of Nordic walking for community rebuilding there from an International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
We remember the terrible events at Fukushima when many lives were lost. What may not be as well known is the emotional healing that is part of the rebuilding. Here is an intriguing use of Nordic walking for community rebuilding there from an International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
Physical exercise such as Nordic walking can become an important part of a psychosocial programme. Psychologists, trainers and volunteers from the Japanese Red Cross Society have included Nordic walking and other physical and recreational methods in their interventions for the affected of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in north-eastern Japan.
More than 100.000 people, who had their homes destroyed or got their place of living exposed to unsafe levels of radiation from the blast at the Fukushima atomic power plant still live in temporary housing in the prefectures of Iwate, Myiaga and Fukushima. Near Rikuzenntakata City, which was almost wiped off the map by the devastating tsunami, this group of elderly women, living in one of the many temporary villages, are taking part in a Nordic walking exercise under the auspices of Red Cross volunteers. The ladies obviously enjoy this break in their daily routines and the opportunity to strengthen both their physical condition and psychosocial wellbeing.
Posted by IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support on Tuesday, March 19, 2013Established by the Red Cross, psychosocial support is part of the organization's response to disasters as communities seek to rebuild. Here's their definition: "The term psychosocial refers to the close relationship between the individual and the collective aspects of any social entity. Psychosocial support can be adapted in particular situations to respond to the psychological and physical needs of the people concerned, by helping them to accept the situation and cope with it."
