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Child-friendly spaces are an important component of World Vision's relief response for displaced children
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By Shirley Kimmayong, World Vision Philippines communications
World Vision is assisting children caught up in the conflict in Mindanao, Philippines, with special ‘Child Friendly Spaces’ and is distributing aid to more than 3,000 displaced families.
Concerned about the physical and mental well being of children, World Vision quickly established Child Friendly Spaces which are designed to give children a sense of safety and structure in an environment that invites trust across conflict-affected villages in Pananag, Lumasal, Lumatil and Daliao.
World Vision team leader Yheleen Veso explains that the Child Friendly spaces are culturally sensitive areas set up with input from a range of tribal and community leaders.
She says, “We are empowering children as peace builders, to encourage them to mingle with other groups so they will learn to appreciate each others culture and remember that although there is diversity they can still be friends and live in peace with each other.”
As the fighting continues, people sheltering in evacuation centers are in need of the most basic supplies, having had to leave many of their belongings behind. World Vision distributed relief packs containing rice, dried fish, sugar, biscuits, sardines, a blanket, mat, and soap to more than 3,000 families sheltering in the numerous evacuation centers around Sarangani province. More than 12,000 families remain displaced.
The supplies are making a difficult life somewhat easier says twelve year-old Erick, one of the displaced children in the town of Maasim: “I use my new mat to cover the wooden benches where we sleep in the evacuation center. With my blanket, I no longer shiver at night,” he continued.”
World Vision Philippines has been an active advocate for peace initiatives in Mindanao since 2000.
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