Bangkok--9 Dec--Plan International
Five years on from the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, children have proven that — not only can they take active roles in their own recovery — it is essential for them to do so.
Myrna Evora, Regional Director of Plan in Asia, says we must rethink how we see children in the wake of disasters: “Children are often viewed as victims in disasters. They are seen as passive and helpless. But, as we can see from the engaging and creative ways they got involved in the recovery of their communities after the tsunami, the active participation of children is actually key to them moving on.”
Across four countries in Asia, Plan supported more than one million tsunami survivors through relief and long-term recovery projects.
Below are some of the results when Plan supported children to take active roles in the recovery of their communities:
India
- Through the "Pictures for Life" social equity audit, child tsunami survivors assessed more than 700 people from 10 villages. During the exercise, they learned the importance of fair distribution of relief assistance, transparency and accountability. Teachers noted that participants exhibited positive behavioural changes after their involvement in the programme. All parents of participants reported their children gained greater confidence and respect from their communities.
- “Tsunami: Before and After” is a documentary produced by child tsunami survivors that documents Plan's assistance to India — from children's clubs and plays to teach hygiene, to children's participation in housing designs and assistance for their parents' livelihoods.
Indonesia
- There were many serious health problems in Aceh after the tsunami, so among other projects, Plan taught children basic hygiene and coached children known as "Little Doctors" to help make their communities cleaner and healthier.
- While helping to rebuild communities in Aceh, Plan focused on early childhood care and development. Through pre-school education and health care for women and infants, Plan aimed for wider, longer-lasting impact.
Sri Lanka
Many children were not comfortable talking about their feelings and fears after the tsunami, so Plan in Sri Lanka provided “Happy/Sad letter boxes” in schools. These encouraged children to write letters about their problems, needs and ideas post-tsunami. Counsellors quickly responded with good advice. Teachers reported that giving children a voice in a culture where they often remain quiet increased their expression and access to protection.
Twenty-two teenage tsunami survivors with no previous acting experience channeled their energy into a Bollywood-inspired theatre production that garnered accolades at home and abroad. For them, the theatre became therapy.
Thailand
Seeking help from a therapist was frowned upon in Thailand, so Plan-sponsored counsellors travelling in brightly painted mini-vans visited schools to engage the children in art therapy and to identify those most in need of further help.
Professional photographers and filmmakers trained child tsunami survivors to take postcard images and make short films. Their pain and struggles were transformed through their projects into joy and pride.
“There are more young people in the world today than ever before in human history,” Evora adds. “They have a right to be heard and we all have a responsibility to actively involve them in all phases of disasters.”
For stories, images, videos, facts and figures illustrating how Plan worked with children and their communities after the tsunami, please visit plan-international.org/tsunamirecovery
Note to editors:
Plan International is a leading children’s development organisation working in 48 developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin American to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan works with more than 3.5 million families and their communities each year. Plan is independent with no religious, political or governmental affiliations and is committed to working with local communities to strengthen children’s rights.
plan-international.org/asia
Media Contacts:
Dena Allen
Regional Communications Manager
Phone: +66 (0)2 204 2630 Mobile: +66 (0)8 9813 7071
[email protected]
Warisara Sornpet
Plan Asia Communications Specialist
Phone: +66 (0) 2 204 2630 Mobile:+66 (0)89 893 6106
[email protected]