In the first stage of disaster relief, IsraAID has sent medical professionals to do a need analysis and provide medical support. In the second stage, IsraAID will send teams of psychosocial experts that will support the mental rehabilitation of women and children in the areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. In addition, IsraAID will send trauma care experts to provide PTSD prevention training and psychosocial tools for government workers and local social workers to help victims.
Tens of thousands of families have lost loved ones or houses, and the local Philillipines government estimates that the reports of high casualties are only beginning to emerge. Although emergency support from worldwide are quickly coming in, IsraAID has seen in other disasters in the past that psychosocial support is critical for the thousands who are suffering from great loss. In particular, women and children lack support groups and safe centers in their community, and the need is urgent.
IsraAID will send a teams of psychosocial experts with experiences in psychosocial support in disaster areas to the Samar, Leyte, and Bohol provinces, where they will help local victims overcome the losses and stress using professional psychosocial methods. Further, the team will provide professional training and supply practical psychosocial tools for government officials, local social workers and other NPO workers that will facilitate support groups and safety centers for women and children
The safety centers and support groups we provide will empower the women and children of the communities in Samar, Leyte, and Bohol province, and create a local network of trained workers and government officials that will continue to provide psychosocial support for the victims even after the project is completed.
