July 5, 2008

More than a month after a catastrophic earthquake hit China's Sichuan Province, Mercy Corps is training local mental health professionals to support the special needs of thousands of children traumatized by the disaster.

We're also continuing to distribute much-needed household items to the thousands of families affected by the earthquake, which killed at least 69,000 people and displaced almost five million.

You can help support their needs over these critical next few months.

Photos: Raul Vasquez for Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps, through local partners and in collaboration with colleague organizations and government authorities, is mounting an emergency response for survivors. We have deployed experienced staff members from our Beijing and U.S. headquarters offices to help coordinate efforts.

Support for young survivors

Mercy Corps is launching two youth psychosocial programs. The first, called Comfort for Kids, combines a basic trauma training workshop with a workbook called "My Earthquake Experience: 5/12 Wenchuan Earthquake." The workbook helps children tell their story about how they experienced the earthquake in a safe environment moderated by an adult caregiver.

"Providing psychosocial support to traumatized children within the first four-to-eight weeks following a disaster can prove critical to preventing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from escalating into chronic PTSD," says Griffen Samples, an expert in post-traumatic activities for children, who is setting up the program. Samples led similar efforts for Mercy Corps in New York City after 9/11 and on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina.

The second program, called Moving Forward, uses sports and games to facilitate discussions and help children regain communication, self-esteem, resiliency and trust. Team building is a critical component of the healing process, says Matt Streng, Mercy Corps' expert in health, youth and sports, who is on the ground in Chengdu setting up the Moving Forward program.

Mercy Corps experts have trained hundreds of psychologists, graduate students and others in post-trauma approaches that we have used successfully in war zones and disaster areas around the world. Sichuan University and other local organizations already have requested that Mercy Corps expand these training programs to help meet the overwhelming need for post-trauma expertise.

Supplies for displaced families

We're also distributing the first of 10,000 "Family Kits" to earthquake-displaced families who are still sleeping in tents or makeshift shelters on streets or other public spaces.

These kits, which come in a re-usable bucket or plastic container, are packed with two weeks' worth of hygiene supplies, which include: detergents, dish soap, first aid supplies, toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap. At least 10,000 school-supply kits also will be distributed.

Our initial response included procurement and delivery of 22 truckloads worth of critical supplies — such as water, noodles, milk and shelter items — to displaced families.

Mercy Corps has been assisting families and vulnerable communities in China since 2001. One of our programs — Project GLOW, supported by the Nike Foundation — is centered in Sichuan Province, the epicenter of the earthquake.

You can help us continue our efforts &mdash and reach out to even more earthquake-affected children — by making a donation to our China Earthquake fund. You can also read an ongoing journal about our on-the-ground efforts: Dispatches from Sichuan Province.

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