Support Children's Psychosocial, WVI Volunteers Help RSA Activities in NTT

Assistance for affected communities by the Seroja tropical cyclone in NTT is still ongoing. By this time, Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) is working with twelve volunteers from the University of Nusa Nipa Indonesia (UNIPA) of Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara to provide psychosocial assistance by doing activities in the Child-Friendly Space (CFS).

Psychosocial support is provided to help children recover from post-disaster psychological stress, as well as to equip children with various knowledge.

Head of the Psychology Study Program of UNIPA Maria N Nancy said, based on the results of the assessment conducted, it was found that several children experienced minor trauma after their house was washed away and their family members died. Some children experienced emotional and behavioral disorders. This is thought to be the result of social problems such as neglect, violence, and wrong parenting before the disaster occurred and was added to the post-disaster incident.

"Many children are cared for by grandmothers or single parents because many parents have migrated out of town or abroad. In some cases, one parent remarries traditionally. As a result, many children do not get love from people. old age, low level of education of children, cases of premarital sex, and high rates of domestic violence," said Nancy.

Operation Team Leader SINCERE (Seroja Indonesia NTT Cyclone Emergency Response) WVI East Flores, Sabu, and Rote, Berwaddin I Simbolon, said that psychosocial support activities were carried out through the development of CFS in Nobo Village and Nelelamadike Village, Ile Boleng District, East Flores. This activity is planned to last for a total of 14 days, including 3 days of the initial assessment.

“Apart from helping children recover from post-disaster trauma through early psychological support (DPA), this psychosocial support also equips children with emotional skills, knowledge about disasters to reproductive education and how to recognize and avoid sexual violence. The results of the initial study also show that adult survivors also need capacity building for both care and health information," said Berwaddin.

Apart from children, psychosocial support is also provided for adolescents and parents. Approaches to parents and caregivers must be made so that they can follow up in the future for the recovery of the psychological condition of the children.

Previously, more than 150 volunteers received psychosocial training from WVI in collaboration with the NTT Psychological Association (HIMPSI), the UNIPA psychology volunteer team, and the Evangelical Church Synod in Timor (GMIT). The training was attended by volunteers from local NGOs (IRGSC, JPIT), psychology volunteer teams, religious leaders, district offices, as well as teachers and children's forum assistants to provide psychosocial support for disaster survivors in Kupang City, Kupang Regency, East Sumba, Alor, Timor Tengah Selatan, and Flores Timur.
 

Written by: Amanda Putri, Media Relations Executive Wahana Visi Indonesia