On November 7, 2013 typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines.  With many dead and many more still missing, people are homeless and without food.  Aid is now arriving to help the people, but delivery is slow because they are ill-equipped to receive it and distribute the donations. According to Ramzy (2013), "Of the estimated 13 million people affected by the storm, five million are children."  



Concerns for Children include:

Malnutrition-People are without food and clean water.  For children malnutrition can interrupt major brain and body development.  If prolonged malnutrition occurs it can cause stunting, children fail to grow to average heights, which might also affect the brain (Berger, 2012).  Malnutrition also depletes a child's body reserves making them more susceptible to diseases (Berger, 2012).

Grief-With so many people missing or dead children are highly likely to know someone who is gone.  In some cases they might be orphaned.  High levels of emotional and environmental stress can cause defects in the brain and negatively affect development.

Medical Needs-Children are without medical supplies for regular health and wellness and for diseases.

Schools-It is vitally important to retain any kind of normalcy for children and going to school is one of these normal activities that would help.  However, many schools in the Philippines were built sturdier than housing and therefore are still standing and being used as refugee centers.  

The following is an excerpt from the NASP Resource website:

 To the extent possible parents and other caregivers should:

• Provide opportunities for children to see friends.
• Bring personal items that the child values when staying in temporary housing.
• Establish some daily routines so that the child is able to have a sense of what to expect (including returning to school as soon as possible).
• Provide opportunities for children to share their ideas and listen carefully to their concerns or fears.
• Be sensitive to the disruption that relocation may cause and be responsive to the child’s needs.
• Consider the developmental level and unique experiences of each child; it is important to remember that as children vary, so will their responses to the disruption of relocation,

References

Berger, K.S. (2013).  The developing person through childhood.  New York, 

     NY: Worth Publishers.

Lazarus, P. J., Jimerson, S. R., & Brock, S. E. (2003). Helping Children After a 

     Natural Disaster: Information for Parents and Teachers. In NASP 

     Resources. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from 

     http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/naturaldisaster_ho.aspx

Ramzy, A. (2013, November 19). For Young Typhoon Survivors, Return of Play 

     Is a Sign of Hope. The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2013, 

     from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/world/asia/children-philippines-

    typhoon-haiyan.html?_r=0

O  Other Helpful Websites

    United Nations Children's Fund: http://www.unicefusa.org

    Save the Children:  http://savethechildren.org

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