North Karnataka Floods & Children

NORTH KARNATAKA FLOODS & CHILDREN-2009 : 

NORTH KARNATAKA FLOODS & CHILDREN-2009

The devastating floods are now only a distant memory… : 

The devastating floods are now only a distant memory…

But has exposed yet again how ill-prepared society is to tackle disasters : 

But has exposed yet again how ill-prepared society is to tackle disasters

After the initial shock of the floods.. : 

After the initial shock of the floods..

Relief in terms of food, water, shelter and materials started to reach the villages : 

Relief in terms of food, water, shelter and materials started to reach the villages

.. But the impact of the floods on children took a backseat… : 

.. But the impact of the floods on children took a backseat…

They had lost their books and notes.. : 

They had lost their books and notes..

..Many schools and classrooms were damaged.. : 

..Many schools and classrooms were damaged..

Most importantly… their fears and needs were neglected as the adults tried to get their lives back in order.. : 

Most importantly… their fears and needs were neglected as the adults tried to get their lives back in order..

On a field visit to speak to children in the affected areas.. : 

On a field visit to speak to children in the affected areas.. The children said that: They still get nightmares of the floods.. “I can hear the rush of the water and I wake up in a fright.. Scared that I will lose my family”

Slide 13: 

With North Karnataka constantly subjected to varied disasters, it is unfortunate that there is no system to address the psychological trauma felt by the children

Is it too late? : 

Is it too late? It has been documented that children affected by the Tsunami in 2004, still struggle to cope with the psychological effects of it Psychological studies have shown that effects of such trauma can last through adolescence and into adulthood

It is NOT too late to correct our system of disaster response and train those in contact with children on effective psychological first aid : 

It is NOT too late to correct our system of disaster response and train those in contact with children on effective psychological first aid

What is the system of intervention? : 

What is the system of intervention? Training in 5 phases on ‘Psychological First Aid’ for children through NGOs, schoolteachers and anganwadi workers from the 12 affected districts. First phase has already begun and received good response from the trainers. A comprehensive training manual will also be developed which would be disseminated to NGOs, government and schools to better equip the system in responding to disasters with special focus on children.

IMPACT OF FIRST WORKSHOP OF PHASE I : 

IMPACT OF FIRST WORKSHOP OF PHASE I NGO trainers from 8 affected districts were trained on the methodology which are completely activity-based in the first workshop of the three planned in this phase. They have in turn trained school teachers and directly used the methods on children in the schools. The children have responded extremely positively to the activities which has enthused the trainers to take this up on a wider scale. But they have been unable to take this further due to lack of funds. The methodology also proved effective on HIV+ children as psycho-social intervention tools. UNICEF has been one of the agencies to successfully adopt this method in Raichur.

RESOURCE PERSONS : 

RESOURCE PERSONS Dr. Srinivas Murthy: retired Professor in Psychiatry- NIMHANS, has done extensive work in the area of disaster mental health care having worked during the Bhopal Disasters (1984), the Marathwada earthquake, Orissa Super cyclone, Gujarat earthquake and Gujarat riots and the conflict situations in Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia and Iraq Mr. Nagasimha, Child Rights Trust: Child Rights Activist and a trained counsellor with experience in counseling victims of Gujarat earthquake. Mr. Girish: worked extensively on children’s issues using theatre, drama and extra curricular activities as tools.

What has already been done? : 

What has already been done? CRT staff donated their one day salary and collected donations from individuals towards the project. These donations were utilized towards conducting the first workshop of three in phase 1 of the program.

PROGRAM METHODOLOGY: Phase I & II : 

PROGRAM METHODOLOGY: Phase I & II

PHASE III : 

PHASE III

PHASE IV & V : 

PHASE IV & V

FUNDING SCENARIO : 

FUNDING SCENARIO Total Cost of entire program: 8.4 lakhs Amount mobilised and utilised till now: Rs. 80,000 Amount required: Rs. 7.6 lakhs

What if you raise over 7.6 lakhs? : 

What if you raise over 7.6 lakhs? Will be utilised towards training and advocacy programs for children. CRT trains teachers, govt. officials, police, anganwadi workers etc on child rights.

How has our money been used? : 

How has our money been used? A report will be given detailing the funds received through sunfeast10K run and the implementation of the same.

Your support is requested to urgently address these gaps and protect our children… : 

Your support is requested to urgently address these gaps and protect our children…

CONTACT US : 

CONTACT US Child Rights Trust, Contact Person: Mr. Nagasimha.G.Rao 6th Floor, High Point IV, Palace Road, Bangalore. Ph: 41138285 Mob: 9880477198 Email: childrightstrust@gmail.com