The recent fires that have hit several communes in the Valparaíso Region have left a balance of thousands of people affectedamong them many boys, girls and adolescents who have lost their homes, their belongings and their support networks.
Given this situation, The humanitarian aid NGO with a special focus on vulnerable children, World Vision, with the support of the Undersecretariat for Children, has decided to implement Safe Spaces in the nine shelters temporary for the containment of childhoods affected by the catastrophe.
Safe SpacesThey consist of equipped physical places with a special offer of activities designed for girls, boys, adolescents and their families. with the aim of promoting emotional and psychosocial well-being, as well as providing a sense of security and containment in the midst of adverse conditions.
This methodology developed by World Vision International and the Reference Center for Psychosocial Support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is implemented by professionals trained in international child protection standards in a humanitarian context.
About, Otoniel Castillo, national director of World Vision, specifies that “our professionals have vast experience in the implementation of Safe Spaces to support boys and girls in the various emergencies that have arisen in our country. That is why, through collaborative work with the Undersecretary of Childrenwe train the childhood professionals who are in the shelters in this methodology, so that our boys and girls have a place to express themselves, learn and regain hope.â€. There are around 50 professionals from the Local Children’s Offices (OLN) who are being trained in child protection matters in a humanitarian context.
In these spaces, boys, girls and adolescents will be able to carry out recreational activities that provide them with adequate conditions for recreation: play, relax, express yourself and learn skills; interacting with boys and girls of various nationalities, ethnicities and religions; learn to manage your emotions, understand the context and share with your peers and your community.
Another objective of these spaces is to identify situations of rights violations and receive priority attention to this and any other need that affects children.
With this initiative, The organization seeks to contribute to strengthening the immediate response, in conjunction with public institutions, the community and civil organizations, to ensure the protection of boys, girls and adolescents in its territory.especially in emergency contexts.
About, Verónica Silva, Undersecretary of Childrenemphasizes that “in this type of emergency The most important thing for children is to have containmentand in that sense the support of the family and the support of the community, which is what we are seeing here. Children need to be in a safe place and they need to feel that they are protected,†he said.
While, Vanessa Carrillo, Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Coordinator at World Vision, states that, “boys and girls are left in a situation of greater vulnerability to emergency situations, which affect their physical, emotional and social well-being. That’s why, It is important that they have safe spaces for protection, where they can receive support, containment and accompaniment from responsible adults and their peers.. These spaces allow them to express their feelings, recover normality, fStrengthen your resilience and develop your potentialâ.
EMERGENCY KITS
In addition to the Safe Spaces, the non-governmental organization provided 265 emergency kits to the boys, girls and adolescents of the nine temporary shelters. These kits contain school supplies, sensory toys, sunscreen, toothbrush and toothpaste, flashlight, and emergency blanket. The goal is for children to be able to use these materials in Safe Spaces to support their psychosocial well-being.
2024-02-16 22:03:28