Amplify community cohesion, compassion and kindness

Support the new identity, values and initiatives that emerge in the affected community during the “Honeymoon” phase of the crisis.

What: Make the most of the short “Honeymoon” period after the crisis by supporting affected communities and the positive initiatives that emerge.

When: The Early Phase

Why: During this period a new shared "disaster community" identity emerges. It is characterised by community cohesion, mutual support, acts of kindness and altruism.

Learn more: Read about the "Honeymoon" phase and the creation of a “disaster community” identity in The Disrupted Mind Part 2: The Crisis Timeline.

How to

Keep communities together

Where possible, affected communities should stay together, in or close to their homes. This allows for the emergence of a ‘disaster community identity’. If possible, evacuation should be avoided.

Hand over the wheel

Communities should be supported to help themselves, taking the responsibility for recovery. They should not be alienated by being portrayed as victims or even villains.

Create rituals and symbols

These help to increase the community’s visibility, pride and connection with its new identity. It also helps to remember it in the future.

Communicate positive new values

Use dynamic normative messaging to share emerging new values like solidarity, altruism or inclusiveness.

Related tools

Dynamic Normative Messaging Tool
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Community Values Communication Toolkit
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Avoid amplifying antisocial behaviour

Even if you are criticising this behaviour, it can feed the frame that it is happening, creating what is known as normative ambivalence.

Ensure longevity

Communal initiatives and support structures will emerge spontaneously but try to support them to last through the much longer phase of “Disillusionment”.

Tools

Defining Moments Tool

The Mindworks guide to understanding and crafting ‘defining moments’ which can impact the way we think and behave.

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Dynamic Normative Messaging Tool

The Mindworks guide to help you create dynamic normative messages that can emphasize changing social norms.

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Examples

Community pantries in the Philippines

In the Philippines after the initial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic local communities started to set up neighbourhood pantries to help those in need. The country-wide phenomenon was started by Patreng Non who set up a simple cart in the community of Maginhawa in Manila. It was quickly replicated all over the country with people self-organising to set up local pantries in their neighbourhoods. Many were surprised by the level of support from other community members, whether it was volunteers from the local neighbourhood donating time or produce, tricycle drivers organising the lines or street cleaners helping tidy up.

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