0000000000595036
AUTHOR
Merja Rapeli
showing 3 related works from this author
Local social services in disaster management: Is there a Nordic model?
2017
Abstract The Nordic states have extensive welfare systems in which the local social services are an important component. Despite a growing research on disaster resilience, we lack research examining in systematic way whether and how local social services in the Nordic countries contribute to resilience. Aiming to fill this gap, this article asks whether we can identify a common Nordic model of the role of local social services in disasters, or whether the countries have taken different paths. We use policy documents and legislation to examine the extent to which roles for local social services are embedded in the disaster management systems of the five Nordic countries. We analyze the insti…
Assessment of Social Services’ Disaster Risk Management: Case Finland
2017
Local actors are crucial in disaster risk management; thus, their capacities should be assessed periodically. In this study, local social services’ preparedness plans were assessed using Emergency Management Program Measurement and quantitative document analysis. The specific aim was to study how social service areas of various sizes were prepared for disasters in Finland. The results showed that disaster risk management capacity varied significantly between large and small service areas. Larger areas were better prepared for supporting management, and had better procedures to activate their response, modern public information and deeper cooperation with the private sector and the civil soc…
The role of social work in disaster management in Finland
2017
This study explores the role of social work in disaster management in Finland and its relation to international disaster social work discussions. The aim is to obtain information on the role of social work in disasters in Finland and to conceptualize disaster social work to understand it better. The framework of disaster social work interventions and the concepts of vulnerability, resilience and social capital are used in analyzing and conceptualizing the role. The methods used are integrative literature review, quantitative document analysis, and statistical analysis of the survey. Municipal social services’ preparedness plan documents and survey data of private social care units’ prepared…