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Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 05.25 GMT

UK aids child friendly activities in IDP centres

 

Around 21,500 children are benefiting from child-friendly activities at Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) established by the UNICEF, in collaboration with partners.

130 Child Friendly Spaces are established in the North and East IDP centres that are providing children with psychosocial support through cultural, recreational and other guided activities.

66 of these have been supported with funds from the UK, the British High Commission announced yesterday (17 Feb).

"Conflict and social upheaval in a country has an impact on the psychological and social well-being of children and adolescents. Their well-being is further affected by the disruption of social support structures which increases the vulnerability of children to harm, abuse and other risks such as neglect and exploitation," the High Commission press release said.

"Child Friendly Spaces are established in IDP camps and affected communities to support the recovery process during an emergency. These ‘safe spaces’ provide regular, structured activities for children under the supervision of caring adults to mitigate the psychosocial impacts of the emergency. Structured activities aim to provide children with the opportunity to express their feelings, thoughts and opinions and learn new things from adults and other children. In these activities they will learn important skills and restore the normal flow of their development.

The results of the CFS have been promising. Progress has been made in mitigating the psychosomatic problems. The children are more relaxed and feel they are part of community that is concerned about their well being”, the High Commission said.

 




 


 
   
   
   
   
   

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