Disasters and the need for Glocal Social Work

As climate change intensifies the risks of extreme weather conditions, the likelihood of disasters also increases. Under those circumstances, societies need to explore the degree to which they are prepared to respond to them and mitigate the potential risks from such events. Approximately 60,000 deaths are recorded during disasters annually, while millions of people are displaced, and the economic impact on infrastructures and community services is tremendous. This paper draws on these facts and argues that as the prevalence of disasters and their impact increase, social work skills and knowledge must advance to adequately and effectively respond to the needs of individuals and communities. The paper argues the need for Glocal Social Work, which considers global phenomena and circumstances regarding disasters but finds suitable methods to apply this knowledge to local communities and respond directly to the populations affected.