HINDIYA AL-ASHEPY

Benghazi- Search and rescue efforts in Libya’s cities destroyed by the devastating floods caused by Storm Daniel, killing tens of thousands, displacing at least 30,000 people, are about to end. Local and international organizations in Libya have begun to provide psychological support to children and women, who survived the floods to overcome the trauma by organizing medical activities, seminars, and workshops.

In cooperation with Al Hawari Psychiatric Hospital in Benghazi, the Libyan International University has held a series of seminars from September 28 to first week of October with the participation of women experts on psychiatry and social medicine, members of the faculties of medicine and psychology, psychologists and experts specializing in childcare. At the seminars, many issues such as how children can overcome the trauma caused by the floods, how to identify the problems faced by children and ways to solve them have been discussed.

‘Children suffer from flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety’

“The treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder are very important, especially for children who have experienced difficult times after being injured or losing their loved ones,” said Salha Akhras, one of the participants. “The survivors of the floods and displaced families in the city of Derna need psychological support to overcome the trauma. Especially, children suffer from flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety.”

Salha Akhras thinks NGOs should hold workshops in schools to raise awareness about

         

the importance of psychologically rehabilitating children who survived the floods.

“Women and children are often considered particularly vulnerable in conflict, war and disease situations,” said Nevin Al-Fazzani, another participant. “I call on all NGOs to provide psychological support to children and adults. More activities should be carried out for child survivors of floods to provide psychological support to them. NGOs in Libya have made great efforts to provide psychological services to everyone affected by the floods in the eastern region of the country.

        

More than 16,000 children are displaced in eastern Libya following Africa’s deadliest storm in recorded history the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on September 27, highlighting the urgent need for psychosocial care.