Critical social work and extreme events

This chapter aims to cast a critical social work lens on the experiences of practice ‘in extremis’, such as violent political conflict, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. It is based on a critical reflection on the narrative literature reviews on each of these three types of extreme events and social work. The chapter explores several questions, namely: who is involved in the practice of social work, reflecting on the experiences and/or knowledge production on these extreme events; are they an insider, outsider or both in relation to these extreme events, and do they have the funding, space and voice to identify, define, explore and voice the injustices which critical social work practice needs to address in such contexts? The chapter stresses that social work knowledge spotlights oppression and discrimination experienced during such extreme events. It also problematises the current organisational and funding models for social justice social work in extremis.