Earthquake, Impacts on Children, Some Strategies
Baburam Khanal, Head (ECA,R&D) Orchid College, Chitwan
Introduction
An earthquake is a movement of the earth's plates, which results in a sudden mild-to-strong shaking of the ground. The shaking may be horizontal, vertical , or fluctuating (wave-like) , and can occur over very large regions. Earthquakes may last from a few seconds to several minutes and usually start with a rumbling noise that can be low in volume or as loud as the sound of moving truck or bus. Earthquakes occur suddenly and unpredictably.
The earthquake that recently occurred in Nepal having its epicenter in Barpark, Gorkha was of 7.8 richter scale as of USGS. This quake of the earth proved very destructive because the hypocenter was at the depth of approximately 15 Kms, therefore causing more unexpected damages.
Effects
The great earthquake and the continuous aftershocks have resulted many deaths, injuries, destructions and terrors. More than 8 thousand people have been killed whereas the number of injured people is increasing everyday reaching as many as 30 thousands. The victims are in hundreds of thousands. More significantly, the children have been the most serious victims both physically and psychologically from this sudden disaster. The impacts of earthquake on children and adolescents will have many adverse effects in the health of the country in the future, too.
In the aftermath, children may continue to encounter sights, sounds, smells, sensations, and inner feelings that remind them-even years after-of the earthquake. These traumatic reminders can bring on distressing mental images, thoughts, and emotional/physical reactions. Common reminders include aftershocks, cracks in the wall, rumbling noises, destroyed buildings, smells of fire and smoke, the place where they experienced the earthquake, seeing people with disabilities, funerals, anniversaries of the date, and television or radio news about earthquakes.
An earthquake may serve as a reminder of prior trauma and loss, making the current reactions even worse. Post-earthquake problems with living conditions, food, water, electricity, transportation, school, work, and daily routines may make living very difficult for weeks or even months. Efforts to contend with these adversities may significantly reduce a person's coping and emotional resources, and in turn interfere with their ability to recover
Highlights of effects on children and adolescents
Post-earthquake studies of children and adolescents from around the world reveal that the children and adolescents may undergo the following experiences:
- Those with the most severe earthquake-related experiences and losses have the most severe and persistent post traumatic stress and grief reactions.
- There can be widespread separation-anxiety in children and adolescents following the event.
- Depression, associated with posttraumatic stress reactions and disruption to living circumstances, often occurs after major earthquakes.
- Ongoing problems may include: substance abuse; delinquent, aggressive or withdrawn behavior; and complaints about physical health, including headaches, stomachaches, rapid heartbeat, tightness in the chest, and appetite and digestive problems.
- Children and adolescents lose trust in the safety and security of the world, and in the ability of adults to protect them.
- Children and adolescents may lose interest to study, social values, family responsibilities and remain vulnerable to sex, alcoholism, drugs and carefree life.
Strategies for Solutions
Book on former PM Bhattarai released
In comparison to other categories of people, children are particularly more vulnerable population in natural disasters. It is obvious that the recent earhquakes in Nepal will also bring to many disturbances to the children and adolescents. Now the question is who can be that unique contributors and how? In such disaster management contexts, family members, healthcare and the school personels are the front line responders and are the natural sources of continued social, emotional, physical and economic supports as children recover. In the context of Nepal, some of the following measures should be put in to immediate practice from saving the children from further hazards.
- A strong team of mental health psychologists should be formed designed to educate, counsel, and convince the children that the future is still theirs. Media resources can be used maximum in dellivering such programs upto the children.
- Health personals should reach home to home so as to make sure that the children are developing mental health confidence.
- School teachers should intervene in carrying out different academic, non academic programs in line with parents and guardians. The teachers can help a lot to make the children fresh and hopeful.As school intervention can reach to the large range of people,some mental health professionals can also be made available at schools. However, Schooling to the teachers is a must beforehand.
- Regular classes should be resumed as soon as possible applying all the necessary precautions. Entertainment-based activities can be priotized for a few days or weeks.
- Intervention through family system is essential to recover from childhood trauma. Parents, in particular, are the cornerstones of this intervention efforts. They need to work with the neighbourhood/community people to uplift the common confidence of children in the surrounding.
- At the time of difficulties, children may have many other risks such as trafficking, slavery, sexual abuse/harrasements. We can't ignore that some criminals are putting efforts to convince girls to take to brothels in Bombay and some rapists are waiting for opportunities to abuse the virginity of school age innocent ladies. Hence, enough awareness and attentions should be extended upon the childen, more importantly to girls, at this time of turmoils.
Conclusion
Challenges in life are more or less inevitable and unavoidable. Handling them with patience, wisdom, courage, vision and determination is a must for long-term solutions. Nepal, at present, is having very tough time encountering several difficulties caused by the recurrent earthquakes. We have no alternatives but act wisely and unitedly. This is the time our humanity, patriotism, kindness and strength are test simultaneously. This is the time we should be proud of our own contributions, thoughts, feelings and efforts. Let all the stake-holders of humanity: the governments of the world, the private sectors, intellectual communities, international communities,people from all rank and files and the individuals work hands-in hands. Lets build our country, save our future and contribute for the globe.
Earthquake, Impacts on Children, Some Strategies
Baburam Khanal, Head (ECA,R&D) Orchid College, Chitwan
Introduction
An earthquake is a movement of the earth's plates, which results in a sudden mild-to-strong shaking of the ground. The shaking may be horizontal, vertical , or fluctuating (wave-like) , and can occur over very large regions. Earthquakes may last from a few seconds to several minutes and usually start with a rumbling noise that can be low in volume or as loud as the sound of moving truck or bus. Earthquakes occur suddenly and unpredictably.
The earthquake that recently occurred in Nepal having its epicenter in Barpark, Gorkha was of 7.8 richter scale as of USGS. This quake of the earth proved very destructive because the hypocenter was at the depth of approximately 15 Kms, therefore causing more unexpected damages.
Effects
The great earthquake and the continuous aftershocks have resulted many deaths, injuries, destructions and terrors. More than 8 thousand people have been killed whereas the number of injured people is increasing everyday reaching as many as 30 thousands. The victims are in hundreds of thousands. More significantly, the children have been the most serious victims both physically and psychologically from this sudden disaster. The impacts of earthquake on children and adolescents will have many adverse effects in the health of the country in the future, too.
In the aftermath, children may continue to encounter sights, sounds, smells, sensations, and inner feelings that remind them-even years after-of the earthquake. These traumatic reminders can bring on distressing mental images, thoughts, and emotional/physical reactions. Common reminders include aftershocks, cracks in the wall, rumbling noises, destroyed buildings, smells of fire and smoke, the place where they experienced the earthquake, seeing people with disabilities, funerals, anniversaries of the date, and television or radio news about earthquakes.
An earthquake may serve as a reminder of prior trauma and loss, making the current reactions even worse. Post-earthquake problems with living conditions, food, water, electricity, transportation, school, work, and daily routines may make living very difficult for weeks or even months. Efforts to contend with these adversities may significantly reduce a person's coping and emotional resources, and in turn interfere with their ability to recover
Highlights of effects on children and adolescents
Post-earthquake studies of children and adolescents from around the world reveal that the children and adolescents may undergo the following experiences:
- Those with the most severe earthquake-related experiences and losses have the most severe and persistent post traumatic stress and grief reactions.
- There can be widespread separation-anxiety in children and adolescents following the event.
- Depression, associated with posttraumatic stress reactions and disruption to living circumstances, often occurs after major earthquakes.
- Ongoing problems may include: substance abuse; delinquent, aggressive or withdrawn behavior; and complaints about physical health, including headaches, stomachaches, rapid heartbeat, tightness in the chest, and appetite and digestive problems.
- Children and adolescents lose trust in the safety and security of the world, and in the ability of adults to protect them.
- Children and adolescents may lose interest to study, social values, family responsibilities and remain vulnerable to sex, alcoholism, drugs and carefree life.
Strategies for Solutions
In comparison to other categories of people, children are particularly more vulnerable population in natural disasters. It is obvious that the recent earhquakes in Nepal will also bring to many disturbances to the children and adolescents. Now the question is who can be that unique contributors and how? In such disaster management contexts, family members, healthcare and the school personels are the front line responders and are the natural sources of continued social, emotional, physical and economic supports as children recover. In the context of Nepal, some of the following measures should be put in to immediate practice from saving the children from further hazards.
- A strong team of mental health psychologists should be formed designed to educate, counsel, and convince the children that the future is still theirs. Media resources can be used maximum in dellivering such programs upto the children.
- Health personals should reach home to home so as to make sure that the children are developing mental health confidence.
- School teachers should intervene in carrying out different academic, non academic programs in line with parents and guardians. The teachers can help a lot to make the children fresh and hopeful.As school intervention can reach to the large range of people,some mental health professionals can also be made available at schools. However, Schooling to the teachers is a must beforehand.
- Regular classes should be resumed as soon as possible applying all the necessary precautions. Entertainment-based activities can be priotized for a few days or weeks.
- Intervention through family system is essential to recover from childhood trauma. Parents, in particular, are the cornerstones of this intervention efforts. They need to work with the neighbourhood/community people to uplift the common confidence of children in the surrounding.
- At the time of difficulties, children may have many other risks such as trafficking, slavery, sexual abuse/harrasements. We can't ignore that some criminals are putting efforts to convince girls to take to brothels in Bombay and some rapists are waiting for opportunities to abuse the virginity of school age innocent ladies. Hence, enough awareness and attentions should be extended upon the childen, more importantly to girls, at this time of turmoils.
Conclusion
Challenges in life are more or less inevitable and unavoidable. Handling them with patience, wisdom, courage, vision and determination is a must for long-term solutions. Nepal, at present, is having very tough time encountering several difficulties caused by the recurrent earthquakes. We have no alternatives but act wisely and unitedly. This is the time our humanity, patriotism, kindness and strength are test simultaneously. This is the time we should be proud of our own contributions, thoughts, feelings and efforts. Let all the stake-holders of humanity: the governments of the world, the private sectors, intellectual communities, international communities,people from all rank and files and the individuals work hands-in hands. Lets build our country, save our future and contribute for the globe.
