Social Work and Psychosocial Support for Flood-Affected Communities in Bayelsa State

Recurrent flooding in Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria, consistently displaces tens of thousands of residents, destroying homes, livelihoods, and community infrastructure with enduring psychosocial consequences. This study examines the social work and psychosocial support available to flood-affected communities in Bayelsa State, focusing on Yenagoa and Ogbia local government areas. A descriptive survey design is adopted, with data gathered from 100 flood survivors, social workers, and humanitarian responders through structured questionnaires. Frequencies and chi-square analysis are employed in data processing. The study finds that flood survivors experience acute psychological distress, prolonged displacement, loss of social support networks, and economic devastation. Social workers from government agencies and humanitarian NGOs provide temporary shelter coordination, food distribution, and referral services during acute phases of flooding, but psychosocial support in the recovery phase is minimal and poorly coordinated. Children and elderly flood survivors are identified as particularly vulnerable to post-disaster psychosocial deterioration. Recommendations include developing a state-level psychosocial support protocol for disaster responses, training social workers in disaster mental health and psychological first aid, and establishing community-based recovery groups in flood-prone areas to build social resilience. Keywords: flood, psychosocial support, social work, Bayelsa State, disaster response