AED experts are available to discuss long-term rebuilding of education systems, peace building in Sri Lanka, and supporting children orphaned by this catastrophe
Washington, D.C., January 21, 2005 —
REBUILDING SCHOOLS AFTER A NATURAL DISASTER
Following Hurricane Mitch, which tore through Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala in October 1998, AED supported efforts to rebuild schools and school systems in Honduras and Nicaragua for three years. Based on that experience, spokespersons are available to discuss the following:
- The opportunity to make significant change that goes beyond relief and strengthens the foundation of the country’s education system.
- How new schools can be designed to serve multiple community needs, not just academics.
- The need to focus on the psychological recovery, “recovery from the inside out,” and to provide training on post-traumatic stress disorders to all those who interact with children, e.g., parents, teachers, and other caregivers.
SUPPORTING OPHANED CHILDREN AED is currently working in Kenya to support children orphaned by AIDS and their caregivers. These are some of the lessons that may be applicable to the thousands of children orphaned by the tsunami:
- Caregivers need information, such as where functioning health services are, and who can provide what kinds of assistance. They need a current picture of local resources.
- Caregivers need clear and basic information about health and nutrition (water borne diseases, how do you know if a fever is due to cholera or typhoid?); What are some home treatments?
- Caregivers need help to address the emotional/psychological needs of these orphans.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AED operates the website
www.humantrafficking.org, which provides information on what can be done to protect and safeguard the children orphaned and left vulnerable by the tsunami.
PEACE-BUILDING IN SRI LANKA AED has been working in Sri Lanka for the past two years to facilitate dialogue among political parties, government, and civil society, as part of the Sri Lanka Peace Support Project. New efforts include:
- Fast-tracking seven “People's Forums” in affected areas in Trincomalee and the Southern coast to involve the community in shaping local reconstruction efforts tailored to each community’s own concerns and aspirations, and to discuss peace-related issues.
- AED's Global Disaster Fund will respond to proposals for local reconstruction and rehabilitation, rebuilding communities based on each community’s own determination of need.
