Stories from the field
Caring for the hearts and minds of those most vulnerable
May 3, 2010
Psychosocial support is an integral part of Red Cross relief operations. It’s making a huge difference to hundreds of earthquake survivors in Haiti- helping them to express their grief, their worries, and their fears. After having arrived in Port-au-Prince for only a few days, Canadian Red Cross delegate Karine Giroux and a team of Haitian Red Cross volunteers began working with dozens of earthquake survivors. Among the most affected by this tragedy are children that have lost their parents and remain disconnected from their loved ones. “When children experience shock such as living through a disaster, or an unstable environment, he or she may be traumatized,” she says. “Ordinarily the child would be at school during the day. We need to provide a routine so the child feels life is going on and there is hope for the future.” |
 Volunteer St. Simon Magalie playing with Joe (4) at his hospital bed in the park outside the hospital. |
She recalled one young boy at the pyschosocial support unit at the field hospital. “This boy was drawing photos of his family, his mother, and a sun. He’s been through a lot, and he could have drawn his dark feelings and poured negativity onto the page - but we helped him feel good. He felt relaxed, his picture was positive and he was drawing it with a smile.”
