The earthquake on 8th October 2005, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struckAJK andKPK devastatinglives of 1.6 million children. It jolted an area of 30,000 kmē of the Northern Mountains including the capital territory leaving over 75,000 people dead, 80,000 injured and 3.5 million homeless. 75 percent of the houses, commercial units, health facilities and administrative buildings in the most severely affected districts. The provincial government of the North West Frontier Province reported 32,700 dead and wounded in Mansehra District only.
An estimated 7,669 schools were affected in the earthquake, of which 5,690 are primary schools (for an estimated 449,000 children aged 5-9 years). Of these schools over 50% are collapsed or beyond repair. An estimated 18,000 children and 853 teachers died.
The child protection project was designed to protect all children affected due to earthquake. Due to earthquake, hundreds of children were separated from their families and many sustained serious injuries with long-term consequences. The particular attention of child protection project were vulnerable groups of separated and/or unaccompanied children, orphaned children, children with disabilities, particularly girls - from (sexual) abuse, exploitation, trafficking and separation from families. While thousands of children died, many more had to move to unfamiliar locations for emergency shelter and food. Life in IDP camps was a new and uncomfortable experience for all children.
UNICEF started its operation just hours after the catastrophe. Haashar joined hands with UNICEF in establishing very first child protection centers at various locations. Child Protection Centers were established at Kashtra, Bissian and Haasa tent village during early months of the work. Later on Child Protection Centers were also established at Mundehar- Attershisha and Jabba. After the closure of camps HAASHAR started its activities in Hilkot Union Council.
UNICEF and Haashar set up child friendly spaces in various camps to restore normalcy into the lives of children. The normalcy was gained by reinstating daily routine of children, psychosocial support, life skill education and learning environments within child friendly spaces. Each of the child friendly space was established to provide children safe places for recreation, counseling and care.
Children Specific Issues
Children need protection and care at residual camps as well as in their own communities and families. Due to absence of registration and baseline data, children, especially those orphaned, unaccompanied and separated, are facing problems in getting compensation, legal assistance, cash grants, water and sanitation facilities, health, hygiene assistance and education. Due to devastation of earthquake especially loss of relatives, property, homes and place of origin, the levels of trauma is high in both children and adults and they are suffering from intense psychological distress.
Project interventions
Objective 1:
Vulnerable children's rights to psycho-social support, non-discriminatory and inclusive main-stream and recreational services are fulfilled.
Activities performed under objective 1
1. Establishment of Child Friendly Spaces:
Establishment of five Child Friendly Spaces, 3 in most affected villages of U/C Hillkot villages like Syedabad, Kandla (Molkra) and Guldehri and 02 in Jabba residual camp. The CFS's established in U/C Hillkot will cater six more villages gradually as the project will be unfolded.
The CFS is a structured and safe place where children and youth can meet other children to play ,learn skills to deal with the risks they face, be involved in educational activities and relax in a safe place .It gives the children the sense of safety, structure and continuity that provide support in the aftermath of earthquake shock. It gives them a sense of belonging after having been displaced and living in tents .It builds cohesion and a sense of community.
2. Data Collection
Details of children in Syedabad (Hilkot) village of Hilkot Union Council
Total families 129
Total Population 1035
Total # of Children 380
Orphans 21
Physically Disabled 1
.JPG)
