UNITE FOR CHILDREN

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief (82nd report)
Reports from the play therapists: Getting closer to the hearts of children

[TOKYO, Japan, 29 June 2011]

Since the disaster the psychological situation of children in the disaster area has been a major concern. The Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU) has implemented a diverse range of assistance activities, including the establishment of Child Friendly Spaces, UNICEF Children’s Bus Fieldtrips and the UNICEF Children’s Mini Library project, in consideration of the psychological condition of children so that the shock and sadness created by the disaster would not grow into long lasting trauma. Recently, a group of play therapists (psychosocial experts that provide assistance through playing) that have been working with JCU to provide psychosocial assistance to children in the disaster areas reported on the situation of children from their expert perspective at an event they participated in during June. The following are excerpts from their reports.

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Even in safe and friendly environments, there were children that would overreact (repeatedly cry and call for their parents even though their parents were right there, appear to be startled, etc.) in response to minor stimuli (calls of staff members, other crying children, etc.). I could tell that the children were tense and nervous. I observed several children attempt to restore balance by engaging in such behavior as putting stickers on people they did not know or abruptly running out into the street. This mischievous behavior could be a manifestation of their confusion over how to conduct themselves in their new environment or their longing for someone to pay attention to them.

This is in regards to the drawing area. One boy took a whole bunch of chalk and drew a long line. He then drew a circle at each end of the line and then two dots inside of the circles. The boy then yelled, “It’s a snake! Run away!” He then ran away to another play area. Another boy drew a big square and called it a bus. He then drew a long line under the bus followed by a bus stop. He continued by extending the line under the bus a little and then drawing some trees. He extended the line a bit further and then drew a house. “I made a town,” he said. He then called his father over and said, “Dad, let’s live here.” This was his attempt at giving support to his father. One girl drew two small circles on the ground decorated with diamonds around them. “Anybody who steps in these circles will be happy,” she cheerfully exclaimed. A large number of children drew pictures, filling the event space with color. I was moved by the depth of expression children were capable through such diverse ways. It made me realize the importance of providing children with environments where they can feel comfortable expressing the many feelings they have. The children looked at ease as the numerous volunteers that took part in the event assisted them with their drawing.

This picture is not directly related to this article.

When we were changing play stations I saw a girl sitting with her back to everyone, so I went and sat down next to her. She was crying and I told her, “It’s okay to cry.” She looked up at me and said quietly, “I’m lonely.” We just sat there together for a while and then, little by little, she began to turn and face the play area and smile at me. We eventually went to the animal feeding area together. At first she said, “I don’t want to pet the animals. It’s scary!” But before long she tried feeding the goats and rabbits. It appeared that she was sorting out her own feelings, taking from this experience that, “Even though it’s scary sometimes, it will be okay.” Staff from the Japan Committee for UNICEF also watched over these activities. The child gradually became less tense and able to smile again as she tried out different play stations and play with other staff. I saw that even children that were able to control themselves had lost their sense of security and required a lot of energy to begin playing.

Once the staff announced that it was time to go home, most children said things like, “I want to play more,” “I can’t play if I go home,” “When can I come back next?” and “Can I come here again?” Moreover, a few of the children on their way to the bus abruptly turned back and said things like, “I forgot something” or “I just want to pet it one more time!” They then continued to run back to the petting zoo area, the furthest location away from the bus, clinging to the petting zoo staff. It was then that I strongly sensed that children wanted to play more, along with the harsh reality that each child faced and the scary feeling of having to return to that reality.

In total, the event made me sense the physical and mental need for a place for children to play in comfort. I also sensed the difficulty for the children’s parents, as they have to protect their families and continue life as normal while they face their own fears. I could see their need to see their children playing as children, and sometimes to get away to spend a little time alone.

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The ability to express oneself and play has an important role in restoring the psychological balance of children in the disaster area. The Japan Committee for UNICEF will continue to work together with children in providing them assistance with the cooperation of a diverse range of experts.

All photo credits: © Japan Committee for UNICEF/2011/K. Goto

Current arrival status of relief supplies

Receiving
Prefecture
Type of Emergency
Supplies
Arrival
Date
Quantity Donating
Company
Comments
Miyagi Water 19 Mar. 12,288
bottles
VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Fukushima Water 22 Mar. 12,672
bottles
VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi Underwear for boys and girls 22 Mar. 200,000    
Iwate Underwear for boys and girls 23 Mar. 30,000    
Fukushima Water 23 Mar. 4,680
bottles
KIRIN MC DANONE WATERS Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi Children’s shoes 23 Mar. 10,000
pairs
   
Miyagi Children’s diapers 24 Mar. 80 packs P&G Japan  
Iwate Children’s underwear 24 Mar. 9,700    
Fukushima Water 24 Mar. 12,288
bottles
VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Iwate Shoes 26 Mar. 1,404 pairs Achilles Corporation  
Iwate Underwear for boys and girls 27 Mar. 28,266  
Iwate Boots 27 Mar. 7,462 pairs  
Iwate Wipes 28 Mar. 1,200 P&G Japan For babies
Miyagi Recreation kits
Early Childhood Development kits
2 Apr. 50 of each Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Iwate Recreation kits
Early Childhood Development kits
2 Apr. 50 of each Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Miyagi Book bags 6 Apr. 70 Nihon New Bag Chain
Iwate Book bags 6-7 Apr. 340 Seiban
Miyagi Schoolbags 8 Apr. 18,000 Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Iwate Schoolbags 8 Apr. 18,000 Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Miyagi Personal security buzzers (for crime prevention purposes) 8 Apr. 5,000
Iwate Personal security buzzers (for crime prevention purposes) 8 Apr. 5,000
Miyagi Minicar 8 Apr. 3 cars
Miyagi Nutritional supplements From early April 4,000 bottles
Fukushima Water 11 Apr. 1,536 bottles VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi Replenishments for recreation kits 12 Apr. 60 sets
Miyagi Miniature toy cars 12 Apr. Approx. 1,200 TAKARA TOMY
Sagamihara* Water 12 Apr. 12,288 bottles VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi Play mats 13 Apr. Two types; 80 of each type IKEA
Miyagi Drawing sets 13 Apr. 60 sets IKEA
Iwate Preschool-size chairs, tables and low tables 14 Apr. 75 chairs; 11 tables; 9 low tables Donated to preschools, primary schools, junior high schools and high schools in the disaster area as well as their new locations
Miyagi Mopeds 15 Apr. 5
Iwate Notebooks and stationery sets for primary and junior high school students 15. Apr. 16,700 sets
Miyagi 183 computers; 57 copiers and fax machines; 61 printers 18-21 Apr. Distributed to preschools, primary schools, junior high schools and high schools in the disaster area as well as their new locations
Fukushima Movable blackboards 21 Apr. 10
Fukushima Temporary toilets 22 Apr. 20
Iwate Geiger counters 28 Apr. 14 For schools in Soma City
Iwate Dressing room/ breastfeeding partition system 28 Apr. 21 sets
Saitama* Milk From late April Shelter in Futabamachi, Kazo City
Saitama* Yogurt From early May Danone Japan Shelter in Futabamachi, Kazo City
Iwate Color pencils (120 sets) and paint (240 sets) 13 May
Iwate Student lamps 14 May 15
Iwate Stationery sets 16 May 840 sets
Fukushima Lockers 16 May 22 sets For the Board of Education of Minamisoma City
Fukushima Computers 16 May 1 Ishikawa Town Board of Education
Miyagi 2 copiers; 2 computers; 2 printers May For Higashi-Matsushima Day-Care Center and Watari Day-Care Center
Iwate Water receiving tank, water purifier tank, water supply tank May construction May construction
Miyagi Solar-powered vaccine refrigerator 18 May
Fukushima Fans 30 May 112 Minamisoma City Board of Education
Fukushima Masks 30 May 100,000 Minamisoma City Board of Education
Iwate 1 copy machine 2 June
Saitama* Shoes 15 June 460 pairs Converse Footwear Co., Ltd.

-Number of UNICEF Children’s Mini Libraries distributed: Approximately 150,000 books to over 900 locations (as of 20 June 2011).
-Number of children that have participated in the UNICEF “Let’s Play! The Outdoors Playtime Project” in Fukushima Prefecture: Approximately 5,600 (as of 26 May)

*Areas receiving disaster victims.

*In certain cases some supplies may be taken from prefectural supply storage warehouses and distributed to shelters and disaster sites in other prefectures.
As of 9:00 a.m. on 17 June 2011 (compiled by the Information and Public Affairs Division).