Rebuild Marawi | Child-friendly spaces provided for displaced children

World Vision, on June 12, opened its dedicated spaces for the displaced children of Marawi.

Three spaces were set up in evacuation centres in Iligan City, catering to at least 260 children.

“I drew this flag because it represents the three united islands of the country. I hope the fighting ends soon,” shares Jamaica, one of the children in the CfS whose family fled Marawi City.

Child-Friendly Spaces offer children a safe place to deal with distress, loss, and grief, often through fun games, artwork, storytelling and other culturally-sensitive activities. It also serves as a venue to interact with other children.

“World Vision recognizes that children are among the most vulnerable in times of emergencies. The impact of the firefight may have impacted them emotionally. It is necessary to set up spaces where they can have a sense of normalcy and come to terms with their experience,” shares Honey Joy Sampiano, World Vision Child Protection Specialist.

The child-friendly spaces were facilitated in areas where World Vision already provided hygiene kits and other emergency essentials like mosquito nets, blankets and mats. Local partners, including Omega and government agencies like the Department of Health, and the social welfare department were also tapped.

In the next days, World Vision will also provide temporary learning spaces for 10 schools that are accommodating displaced school-aged children in Iligan City and 18,000 school kits for students. To date, the child-focused organisation has reached 2,000 families or 10,000 people, living in evacuation centres and those that are home-based.

World Vision/June 14, 2017