Earthquake-affected children require support to cope with distress, Save the Children says

(25^th April 2013) CHENGDU – Save the Children has begun responding to the needs of children affected in the Sichuan earthquake, providing a host of relief goods and services to help them regain a sense of normalcy.

Already, the children’s aid agency has distributed immediate relief to nearly 900 people including 200 children in villages in Sichuan province. Relief items include towels, sanitary napkins, soaps, hand sanitizer, raincoats, plastic tarpaulin, toilet paper and baby diapers. 

The 7.0 magnitude temblor rocked Sichuan province in Southwest China on Saturday morning, killing at least 190 people and injuring 11,000 others. About 1.52 million people have been affected and 3,500 aftershocks recorded so far. 

“The magnitude of this earthquake and the multitude of aftershocks have been extremely distressing for the children in Sichuan.  Our staff have been talking to children about their experiences, such as watching their house collapse, grabbing hold of a younger sibling to run to safety, and sleeping in the open.  We are collaborating with partners to see how we can best complement government efforts and help these children cope with distress, through play activities and peer-to-peer support,” said Pia MacRae, country director for Save the Children in China.

Save the Children’s field office in Chengdu continues to procure and distribute a range of essential items to complement government relief efforts, based on its assessment as well as information from other organisations. The children’s aid agency will begin distributing newborn items such as baby clothes, blankets and blended food for young children today.

“Children are the most vulnerable in any disaster, especially those from poorer backgrounds, and their specialized needs can be overlooked,” said Pia MacRae. “Save the Children hopes to help them regain a sense of normalcy in the coming weeks.”

Save the Children has been working in China for two decades, responding to over 17 disasters in that time, such as the 2010 Yushu earthquake and 2008 Sichuan earthquake; and more recently the 2012 twin earthquakes in Yiliang and Zhaoyang Counties in Yunnan Province.