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| This 4-year-old lost all his family except is grandfather during the 2013 Aceh Tsunami © UNICEF Indonesia/2013/Estey |
In the coming decades it is estimated that around 200 million children per year will be impacted by natural disasters. Because of this, being better prepared for disasters is critical to the survival and development of millions of children globally.
With less than a week to go before the UN’s Global Disaster Risk Reduction Conference in Sendai, we take a second look back at some stories, and lessons, from children who have had their lives affected by natural disasters (click here for part one).
Extreme winters, Mongolia: “I’m afraid”
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| A first-grade student walks several kilometres to her home after school © UNICEF/NYHQ2010-0432/Cullen |
The crisis, known locally as a “dzud”, killed at least nine children in one province. A 16-year-old girl recalled the extreme weather:
“In the last winter dzud, I took turns to herd our livestock… around 40 animals. I needed to dig the snow to help the livestock reach the grass, sometimes by hand. When there is a snow blizzard, I can’t see my way and I’m afraid of getting lost. I’m also afraid of wolves. My cheeks and ears freeze and I get frostbite…This makes my ears very painful by the evening and liquid comes from my ears.”
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Typhoon, Philippines: Survivors send a message of hope
An inspiring message to children across the world from Filipino survivors of the biggest typhoon ever to hit land.
Earthquake, China: A haven for healing
“In the first few months, the children would wake up in the middle of the night crying for their mother and father to come back,” said Doudou’s grandfather, Mr Wang. “Doudou refused to talk to anyone and was sad for a very long time. I didn’t know how to comfort them.”
With UNICEF’s support, a space was created for children to play and learn, and work through the trauma.
“Doudou loves dancing and riding her bike. Her brother Xinxin dreams of becoming a scientist to invent a device to prevent earthquakes in the future,” said the grandfather.
Flash floods, Solomon Islands: Baby Clara celebrates 2-week birthday in an evacuation centre
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| Miracle baby Clera and family survived Solomon Islands floods © UNICEF Pacific/2014/VWaradi |
Only a week after returning home from hospital with her new bundle of joy, Madeline found herself desperately trying to save her family from the raging waters that took their family home during flash floods in Honiara, Solomon Islands. She joined 52,000 people who were affected by the disaster.
Clera was safe in a UNICEF supported evacuation centre, celebrating her 2 week birthday with her family.
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Storms, Philippines: “It was my birthday yesterday…”
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| Anna Marie with her mother in a UNICEF-supported storm shelter © UNICEF Philippines/2014/Andy Brown |
Ten-year-old Anna Marie Almadin with her mother Lily, 46, were at the evacuation centre after the storm. “It was my birthday yesterday,” Anna Marie says. “It was raining hard and I felt lonely and sad that we had no birthday cake. We’re going home now and I want to celebrate by going to Jolibee for dinner tonight.”
She is suddenly overcome with emotion and buries her head in her mother’s chest, crying.
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Earthquake, China: “I could only bathe once a week”
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| Luo Yiyun washes using a water pump installed with UNICEF’s support © UNICEF China/2009/Zhoo Jia |
An earthquake destroyed the homes in her village, as well as the village’s water pipeline network.
“There was more water in the well at night so my parents would stay up until midnight to get water,” recalled Yiyun. “I used a basin of water to wash my face and then my feet. I could only bathe once a week.”
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Floods, Thailand: “I want adults to listen”
Natthasit Muangsawang, 11, is familiar with flooding. His home is inundated with water almost every year during the rainy season. But after the massive floods of 2011 swept away his books, desk, toys and other belongings, he was given a chance to speak out about his own experience during the floods for the first time.
“I was bored during the floods as I couldn’t go out of the house,” said Natthasit, whose house was under more than two-metres of water for several weeks.
“I wanted to tell adults not to pressure us too much. We were already stressed out because of the floods. I want adults to listen to children’s voices,” Natthasit said.
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Tsunami, Indonesia: Rebuilding lives
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| A teacher leads a class outside © UNICEF/NYHQ2005-0323/Estey |
After disasters, it is critical children get back to their old routines as quickly as possible. Ensuring they get back to school, and back with their friends, is an excellent way of working through trauma and helps ensure disruption to their lives is kept at a minimum.
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Cyclone, Myanmar: Building back better
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| A new cyclone resistant school was opened in Kwin Kyar Taw village, Myanmer in 2009, a year after cyclone Nargis killed 140,000 people ©UNICEF Myanmar/2009/Khin Zaw |
The school was built to withstand heavy cyclones and other storms, ensuring children can still go to go back to class after any future cyclone hits.
The tropical cyclone caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Myanmar, causing nearly 140,000 deaths. Relief efforts were hampered by the Sichaun earthquake occurring in nearby China.
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For more stories, click here.
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