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Find out moreQuake children plagued by nightmares, say experts
THE youngest victims of the Haiti earthquake are showing increasing signs of emotional trauma, according to children’s charity Plan International.
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 crucial.”
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 36 years, have been assessing the immediate needs of the population.
Plan has set up a number of child safe zones that 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.
It is vital that youngest survivors of this tragedy have access to food, clean water emergency health care, shelter and psychosocial support. Temporary schools are also likely to be needed in the medium-term.
Globally Plan has raised $US6.6 million for the emergency relief effort.
“Our priority is assisting children and their families and getting people at risk into safe accommodation wherever possible. Easing emotional and mental distress, which is not as obvious, will be very important as will ensuring child protection,” says Plan International Australia’s chief executive Ian Wishart.
Donate to Plan’s Haiti Earthquake appeal.