Six weeks after Zamboanga conflict, 60,000 children require intervention to overcome distress; Save the Children supports counselling in evacuation centers

Six Weeks after Zamboanga Conflict, 60,000 Children Require Intervention to Overcome Distress; Save the Children Supports Counselling in Evacuation Centers

Zamboanga City, Philippines (18^th October 2013) – A month after the armed conflict between the MNLF and government forces ensued in Zamboanga City, almost 60,000 children need counselling and emotional intervention to help them recover from distress.

The armed conflict that started on September 9^th 2013 has displaced nearly 118,000, half of these are children. It was evident that the evacuation centers are overcrowded, lack clean water, proper sanitation facilities and safe spaces for children to play. Currently, there are still 27 operational evacuation centers in the city.

“Over the past six weeks, these children have witnessed what no child should have to see. Even in the evacuation centres, there is little sense of security, without a private shelter for their families or school to go to,” said Ned Olney, deputy country director for Save the Children in the Philippines. “The distress sustained by these children can be expressed in a host of different ways, including detachment, crying, paranoia and sleep deprivation.”

In partnership with Ateneo de Zamboanga Guidance and Counseling office, Save the Children trained 122 facilitators from six education institutions in Zamboanga who will provide psychological first aid to the children at four evacuation centers in Taluksangay, Talon-talon and Zambowood. Through play, art and storytelling, children can share their experiences and the emotions that the conflict brought to their young minds.

Save the Children has been working in Zamboanga City since the conflict erupted on September 9^th, providing displaced families with immediate relief items such as clean water and hygiene items and temporary learning spaces for school-aged children. The children’s aid agency has also set up safe areas for children to play and learn inside the evacuation centers.

“Parents and other caregivers should, as much as possible try to keep to a regular schedule even inside the evacuation center. This will help to somehow bring back a sense of order and security in the lives of children. It is important to keep regular hours for sleeping, eating, maintain clean living spaces, and continue praying or whatever cultural rituals/celebrations they observe,” said Ned Olney.

Save the Children has been working in the Philippines for over 30 years, supporting worst-affected people to all major disasters and conflicts. The children’s aid agency is currently helping families caught up in Typhoon Utor, Typhoon Bopha, Pampanga Floods, Cotabato Floods and Zamboanga Conflict. In 2012, Save the Children reached over seven million children across the Philippines.

Save the Children has spokespeople available for interviews. To arrange one, please contact Lany dela Cruz, Communications Officer, Zamboanga Humanitarian Response, Save the Children in the Philippines at +63 925 555 6290 or Lany.Delacruz@savethechildren.org.

One of the volunteers, Mr. Ed Pamaran of ADZU in a story-telling session with children at the Taluksangay High School evacuation center	Classrooms were again filled with singing and laughter as volunteers conducted fun activities for children inside the Taluksangay evacuation center (Alex Medina for Save the Children)