Wednesday 20 January 2010

HAITI QUAKE CHILDREN PLAGUED BY NIGHTMARES SAY TRAUMA EXPERTS

IN THE aftermath of the latest earthquake to hit Haiti the youngest victims of the Haiti earthquake are showing increasing signs of emotional trauma, according to children’s charity Plan Ireland.

Plan’s disaster response expert Dr. Unni Krishnan, who has just conducted an assessment of children living in Croix des Bouquets (a suburb on the outskirts of Port au Prince), said the situation was dire.

He said: “Almost all mothers told me that their children are waking up four to six times a night screaming from horrendous nightmares. The fear is palpable in their eyes.

“Of course these are normal reactions to an abnormal situation but help must be given to these youngsters so they can work through these emotions.

“What is needed now is a comprehensive approach in which we place children at the centre. Psychosocial care and support and protection should be an organic and integral part of all responses. Putting children at the centre of the earthquake response is key.”

Dr. Krishnan also warned against well-meaning westerners offering to adopt children orphaned by the quake, insisting this was only a temporary solution to a much bigger problem. 

“Removing children from their families and natural environment is actually harmful and is not acceptable,” he added.

“What governments, UN agencies and charities like ours need to do is make their natural environment, living conditions and future better.  Good intentions alone are not sufficient. What these children and their communities need is long-term help to rebuild their lives here in Haiti so they can have a better future.”

Staff from Plan International, which has worked in Haiti for more than 35 years, have been assessing the immediate needs of the population.

Plan has set up a number of child safe zones which are designed to give the youngest survivors of the earthquake a break from the relentless misery of life on their rubble-strewn streets.

Children are especially vulnerable after disasters of this magnitude; in Haiti one in five children suffers stunted growth due to poor nutrition, so they are particularly vulnerable.  Forty-six per cent of Haiti’s population, nearly 10 million people, is under 18 years of age. At particular risk are unaccompanied children and those who have lost parents in the disaster.

It is vital that youngest survivors of this tragedy have access to food, clean water emergency health care, shelter and psycho-social support.  Temporary schools are also likely to be needed in the medium-term.

Globally Plan has raised US$5 million for its emergency relief effort.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or to find out more about Plan’s work can visit www.plan.ie or freephone 1800 829 829 or send what you can to Plan Ireland, 126 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

 

 

Notes

A strong aftershock measuring 6.1 hit Haiti at 6.03am local time today. We have received information from our team and understand that all members of the international support mission are unhurt and are accounted for.  It is too soon however to know whether all Plan Haiti´s staff are alright. Our HR team in Haiti are currently contacting all staff members to ascertain their status. We do know that Haitian authorities have strongly advised the population not to sleep indoors and we also know that many people were already up and about when this happened.

Plan has operated in Haiti for 37 years and currently has projects in the following areas: Beudet , Cayes-Jacmel , Croix-des-Bouquets , Dolney , Fort-Liberté , Frères , Jacmel , Lavallée , Ouanaminthe , Trou-du-Nord.  Children will be the hardest hit by this disaster. Homes and schools have been destroyed. Children are still trapped under rubble while others are wandering the streets traumatized.

 

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