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For Venezuela's children, earthquakes bring fear, grief, and a long road to recovery
🇪🇬 Egypt /Disasters & Emergencies

For Venezuela's children, earthquakes bring fear, grief, and a long road to recovery

From Egypt Independent · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Twin earthquakes in Venezuela last month devastated parts of the country, destroying homes and causing loss of life.
  • Children like Maria, 10, and her brother Damian, 13, are coping with the trauma of losing their homes and, in Maria's case, her mother.
  • Child-friendly spaces in temporary shelters offer psychological support through recreational activities and counseling to help children process their grief and regain a sense of security.

Ten-year-old Maria recounts the moment she lost her mother and her life irrevocably changed after powerful twin earthquakes struck Venezuela last month. The disaster devastated coastal towns like Caraballeda, destroying homes and leaving many, including Maria and her 13-year-old brother Damian, displaced.

My mom was there

— MariaA 10-year-old girl, recounting the earthquake's impact.

They are now living with their aunt, Mercedes Osul, who is navigating her own grief while caring for her niece, nephew, and her own two daughters. Maria struggles to articulate her loss, repeatedly mentioning her mother's presence, while Damian has withdrawn, channeling his emotions into playing soccer. This contrast highlights the varied ways children process trauma.

My nephew hasn’t wanted to talk about it. All he does is play, play

— Mercedes OsulThe aunt of Maria and Damian, describing her nephew's coping mechanism.

To address the psychological toll on young survivors, temporary shelters have established "Child Friendly Spaces." These areas, supported by UNICEF and organizations like World Vision, provide a safe environment for children to begin processing their experiences. Manuel Rodríguez Pumarol, UNICEF representative in Venezuela, explains that through play and group activities, children can release stress and trauma, gradually regaining a sense of security.

Through play and group dynamics, children can begin to express themselves, begin to release the stress and trauma caused by this catastrophe, and also begin to regain that sense of security they have lost

— Manuel Rodríguez PumarolUNICEF representative in Venezuela, explaining the purpose of Child Friendly Spaces.

Andrea Lasso, Emergency Response Manager for World Vision in Venezuela, emphasizes the critical need for these spaces where children can play, interact, and feel protected. The support extends to caregivers like Osul, who are advised on how to help children cope. Osul was told by a psychologist to allow Damian to use soccer as an outlet, recognizing that "venting" is a crucial part of his healing process. The disaster has profoundly disrupted the daily lives and emotional well-being of Venezuela's youngest residents.

They need some space where they can feel safe again, where they can be protected, where they can play and interact with other children

— Andrea LassoWorld Vision's Emergency Response Manager in Venezuela, on the importance of safe spaces for children.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Egypt Independent in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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