5 years ago
ATHENS, GA (AP) -- A University of Georgia project is working with Israel to better prepare Georgia residents to deal with the psychological aftermath of a terrorist attack.
Mark Lusk, associate vice provost for international affairs at the school, has gone to Israel twice this year to study how the government there responds to the emotional toll frequent terrorist attacks have on civilians. And in April, the university will host the Israelis for a symposium on the aftermath of terrorism.
Lusk plans to use his findings to come up with a plan to help Georgians who are affected by terrorist attacks. And he hopes a national plan will eventually be adopted by the United States.
"In a lot of respects, the U.S. is a lot more secure than prior to 9/11," Lusk said. "But the U.S. has done virtually nothing with respect to psycho-social security."
Psycho-social security is the Israeli term to describe the public well-being after a terrorist attack, Lusk said.
In Israel, the government believes that all people -- not just those who are injured or suffer losses -- are victims of a terrorist attack, Lusk said.
For example, in Israel, anyone who witnesses a terrorist attack, or is affected by media coverage of it, is eligible for government-paid psychological help. And at the scene of terrorist attacks, all witnesses are taken to the hospital even if they are not hurt, Lusk said.
"Their research indicates that everyone who witnessed it is also traumatized," he said.
In the UGA project, Lusk has the support of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta and the Jewish Federation of Atlanta. Shmuel Ben-Shmuel, consul general of the Israel for the southeastern United States, said he welcomes Lusk's interest.
"We are experts in that area," Ben-Shmuel said. "We can share our expertise with our friends throughout the world."
Associated Press