Children exposed to conflict, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises can suffer severe psychological and social consequences, says Dr Jason Etheredge from UNICEF Pacific.
He said this could have devastating long-term effects if not addressed, Dr Etheredge noted this at a recent training for members of the Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO) Fiji in Nadi.
He informed the 40 participants of the important role first responders had during events such as natural disasters.
Baptist Church Convention representative Osea Tunidau said such training, harnessed their experience “of going out to communities affected by cyclones to conduct counselling sessions and to help them get back on their feet”.
Anglican Church of Fiji’s Maleli Siata said the training provided them with an in-depth knowledge of providing psychosocial and psychological first aid support especially to children who are often neglected.
Members of the CAN DO Fiji consortium are often one of the first responders deployed to the field after any disasters to deal with mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies.
