Social work in disasters and pandemics: Six cross-cutting practice functions and implications for international social work

Abstract

This review synthesised recent evidence on social workers’ roles in disasters and pandemics. Major health and social science databases were searched for English-language empirical studies published between 2020 and 2025. Twenty studies were included and critically appraised. The synthesis identified six recurring practice functions: psychosocial assessment and triage, case management and resource navigation, safeguarding, interagency coordination and advocacy, community engagement and culturally responsive communication, and workforce support with ethical decision-making. Findings suggest that social work plays an important integrative role across disaster contexts, while role clarity, training, supervision and organisational readiness remain key implementation challenges.