Abstract

CARRANZA MORALES, Marco Eduardo  and  ESCALANTE MEZA, Jimena. Community and Psychosocial Processes Related to the Nicoya, Guanacaste earthquake on September 5th, 2012 in Costa Rica. Reflexiones [online]. 2020, vol.99, n.2, pp.1-20. ISSN 1659-2859.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/rr.v99i2.38614.

Introduction. This article is the result of a research project developed in some communities of the Nicoya peninsula after the earthquake on September 5th, 2012. It follows the work performed by the Brigade of psychosocial accompaniment in case of emergencies and disasters (BAP) of the Psychology Department of the UCR, immediately after the event took place. It also presents the concrete results of the community of Santa Teresa of Cóbano, Puntarenas. Goal. Acknowledge the psychosocial implications, as well as the subjective aspect at a community level in the Nicoya peninsula, which arise before, during, and after the earthquake on September 5th, 2012. Methodology. The methodology used was qualitative, implementing as techniques interviews, informal conversations, and group dynamics to approach the construction of collective memory in communities. Results and conclusions. Results show a complex community dynamic in space appropriation and sense of belonging, due to the coexistence of diverse cultures and nationalities, which are perceived as a threat by Costa Ricans in the area. Likewise, it is revealed that the anticipated announcement of the event did not generate preventive actions in this community and that the attention during the emergency was improvised. Also and even to the moment of the research project, there are no organizational actions in the matter, despite of the concern about the implications that a similar or greater event can generate in the area. This concern increased considering the number of tourists and the lack of organizational tools to address similar events.

Keywords : Community; Disasters; Community organization; Collective memory; Psychosocial implications.

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