UN agency to provide psychosocial aid to traumatized quake victims in Iran

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which is providing material relief to the victims of last week’s earthquake in Iran, today announced plans to offer psychosocial support to traumatized youngsters in the coming weeks.

“Families are sleeping in tents, in their cars and in makeshift shelters wherever they can,” UNICEF country representative Christian Salazar said after visiting the Lorestan area, where the agency immediately rushed 10,000 blankets after the 31 March quake.

“The temperature is down to five degrees Celsius,” he added, noting that the harsh conditions take a strong psychological toll. “For children it's very difficult. Not only have they lost all their possessions, but they are very frightened by all the aftershocks of the earthquakes. They are crying a lot and not sleeping well.”

To help address this trauma, UNICEF plans to offer psychosocial support and temporary schools to the community.

After the initial quake, the Government and Iranian Red Crescent responded swiftly, distributing tents, blankets and other supplies almost immediately. UNICEF added to this with the first international aid to reach some of the most affected villages.

Additional supplies, including children's clothes, blankets, dolls and tents, were released by officials in Bam, where they had been donated by UNICEF following the 2003 earthquake there.

The children and their families will continue to need considerable help. To facilitate recovery and reconstruction, an expert team of two UNICEF child protection officers, an education officer and a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) staff member arrived on the scene this week to assess damage to education facilities and the psychological status of children.

Based on the team’s findings, a plan of action will be developed and implemented with the government and partners. The State Welfare Organization has already agreed with UNICEF to establish 35 rural childcare centres in the hardest-hit villages. These, along with appropriate educational and psychosocial interventions, should help children overcome the psychological stress and trauma caused by the quake.

The agency’s actions are part of a coordinated UN effort led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).