As schools reopen in Indonesia, children’s basic needs still not being met
Updated October 5, 2009
Photos by Enda Balina, World Vision Indonesia
As schoolchildren in Indonesia’s West Sumatra quake zone were called back to school, World Vision says these thousands of earthquake-affected children remain the disaster’s most vulnerable survivors. World Vision is calling on the government of Indonesia and other humanitarian actors to prioritize relief efforts that meet the physical and psychosocial needs of children in the quake zone. The most urgent needs include clean water and safe places to play and begin learning again.
‘Youngest survivors still face a daily struggle’
“From the terror of aftershocks to the vulnerability of their immune systems to the need to have a normal routine, children’s vulnerabilities are magnified in a disaster like this,” said Amelia Merrick, operations director for World Vision in Indonesia. “It’s absolutely critical that emergency response teams make children’s unique needs a priority. Even though the ground has stopped shaking, the West Sumatra quake’s youngest survivors still face a daily struggle, both physically and psychologically.”
Because of unsanitary conditions and lack of clean water or disinfectant, even minor injuries sustained in a disaster can become life-threatening without medical attention. In addition, fallen buildings, destroyed homes, and flooded paths or waterholes continue to pose safety hazards to children who are left unsupervised. Children need appropriate food, adequate water and sanitation, and shelter as soon as possible. Without these basics, children’s immunity against disease will be vastly reduced.
Child-Friendly Spaces
As part of its 90-day emergency response plan, World Vision will open 13 Child-Friendly Spaces — structured, safe places where children can play with other children, relax in a safe place, learn basic skills to cope with the shocks and losses they’ve experienced, and receive informal education. The spaces are designed to provide psychosocial support to children after a disaster or conflict.
The Child-Friendly Spaces are run by community volunteers who receive training on child protection practices and psychosocial support skills from World Vision staff. Our emergency response teams have successfully established Child-Friendly Spaces following several recent disasters, including Myanmar, Darfur, and Pakistan.
Family Kits
In addition, World Vision’s relief workers are distributing nearly 1,100 family kits around Padang. The kits include items like blankets, soap, and tarpaulins. The team will also distribute more than 4,000 collapsible water containers to families. World Vision is appealing for $2 million to scale up our response, and our teams aim to provide 10,000 households with emergency supplies.
Help now
Please keep in prayer the children, families, and communities devastated by the multiple earthquakes that have struck Indonesia recently. Many families now lack shelter and other basic essentials, and children are subject to severe emotional trauma. Pray for the efforts of World Vision and other relief organizations, who are working tirelessly to bring emergency assistance to those who need it most.
Donate now to World Vision’s Earthquake Relief Fund. Your gift of any amount will help provide emergency food and family survival kits with items like health and hygiene products, blankets, water cans, cooking supplies, plastic sheeting for shelter, mosquito nets, and more.
