| Supporting
women survivors of natural catastrophes: The experience of the Women
for Women’s Human Rights – New Ways, Turkey
The following is a summary of the experience of the Women for Women’s
Human Rights –New Ways, in providing support to victims in the aftermath
of an earthquake that hit the country in 1999 killing more than
16,000 people. The group had worked in the disaster area immediately
following the incident, and for three years thereafter.
- The most
urgent thing to do (besides providing temporary housing and health
facilities) is to open rehabilitation centres for children. We
had set our priority as women and children, but it was a mistake
as we recognised it in a short time. Children tend to be neglected
by their families, who themselves are in a trauma state and also
what women need the most at the beginning is a safe place for
children so that they can concentrate on themselves without the
burden of the children.
- The rehabilitation
centre for children should have a lot of space and big toys, enabling
them to act out.
- One should
give special attention to girl children, as boys tend to act out
and get the attention, whereas girl children tend to look “to
be without problems” and “silent”, whereas in fact a lot of them
suffer from depression that goes unnoticed.
- Offering
“counselling groups” for women was much more effective and demanded
than “one-to-one” trauma therapy.
- The counselling
groups should have a particular focus on “domestic violence” as
domestic violence reaches unprecedented levels in a short time.
In a quick survey in one of the rehabilitation centres we conducted
a month after the earthquake we found that 80% of the women were
experiencing domestic violence. The reasons are many: Men tending
to more aggression as a result of their trauma, shrinking living
space, men becoming unemployed, etc.
- We also
found that sexual abuse of children had become a huge problem.
- “Coordinated
efforts” is a key concept, as a lot of efforts and materials were
wasted in Turkey due to lack of coordination at the beginning.
Our state is famous for its lacking talent of coordination, which
is similar in some countries affected now. Therefore, a coordination
centre organised by NGOs at the very beginning is a must.
- Internet
facilities must be provided to ensure effective communication
and coordination.
For further information, contact Women
for Women’s Human Rights – New Ways.
This
page was last updated on January 5, 2005
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Asia Pacific is an independent, non-profit, NGO in Special consultative
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