UNICEF, Procter & Gamble and the Youth Red Cross give priority to children affected by the January 8 earthquake in Costa Rica
18 January 2009- As part of their relationship with the community, Procter and Gamble teamed up with UNICEF and the Youth Red Cross to ensure the basic hygiene needs of children living in shelters after the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Costa Rica this past January 8th. The company also accepted donations from employees, helping to be able to meet the needs of approximately 1,000 children living in shelters. In total, P&G donated more than USD 12,000 in toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, diapers and other products. The donation was made to UNICEF, who gave the materials to the children through the programme Return to Joy, jointly implemented with the Youth Red Cross. “It is important to work with children in emergency situations and to ensure that their Basic needs are met and their emotional stability is restored. Children are the most affected by these types of situations. UNICEF values the support and commitment by companies such as Procter and Gamble in putting children first,” explained Seija Toro, Representative of UNICEF Costa Rica. Beyond the specific materials for children, Procter and Gamble also donated batteries, soap, cleaning products and deodorant to the Red Cross for other earthquake victims. “Procter & Gamble is a company with a strong commitment to the children of Costa Rica and we are proud to be part of these efforts to reduce the impact of this disaster. By donating these products, P&G seeks to improve the lives of children, contributing to the process of rebuilding their community,” expressed Alejandra Cobb, Manager of External Relations of P&G in Costa Rica. Return to Joy
Return to Joy was developed by UNICEF and is implemented during emergencies by the Youth Red Cross and the University of Costa Rica. Each joy brigadier receives special training in the methodology and is accompanied by psychologists from both the private sector and the University of Costa Rica School for Psychology. Part of the methodology also seeks that adolescents and young persons from the affected communities become active in the process, contributing to the recuperation of the community. Wilmer Saborio, Director of the Youth Red Cross commented: “For us it is a very gratifying experience being able to help children that have been exposed to these circumstances.” The Red Cross members involved in Return to Joy are between 16 to 20 years of age, allowing them to better identify with the children of the area.
Life Stories Earthquake 8 January 2009 Costa Rica
Grettel Gamboa Zamora Psychologist from the Red Cross for Return to Joy speaks with Children to help them talk about the earthquake and start to overcome the emotional after effects.
Jon, 3 three years of age “I was really scared but now we are here (in the shelter). I like it when they come to play with us; I like football and cars. It’s fun.”
Arel, 5 years of age “Snow White came to play with us and tell us stories. I am not scared anymore, she’s my favorite. I told her that I was scared but not anymore.”
Diana, 7 years of age “I was really scared, it was shaking really hard. Our house fell down but we were with our grandma. We had to leave her house and she can’t go back yet, but her house isn’t that bad, it is just really close to the earthquake. When it started, we ran out of the house to the park where there is nothing to fall on us. Everybody was real scared. Then we came here. I like playing with dolls, especially Dora. We have everything here, food, bathrooms, everything. All of my friends are here and a lot of people have come to visit us. I like that we get to play with new people.”
The family of Edwin Loiza Herrera and Johanna Isabel Chacón “We have four kids: Eric (12), Justin (9), Leslie (7) and Adrián (4). We got to the shelter right after the earthquake, the same day. The kids are still really traumatized. They have trouble sleeping and are still really scared, especially with the after shocks. As time passes they feel better, but you can really tell the difference after these kinds of activities (Return to Joy). The kids are sleeping a bit better and they are getting over what happened. Playing today, the kids met some new friends and have started talking about the earthquake a little more openly. We really appreciate everything from the Red Cross and UNICEF, also all of the help that we have received from the rest of Costa Rica.”
Eric, 12 years of age “I was really worried. It shook a lot and we lost our house. The ceiling fell, not all the way, but nobody could get inside to get our stuff. There hasn’t been that many people who come to the shelter to play, but at least there are people here now (Brigadiers from Return to Joy). I don’t feel like doing much right now, I am pretty tired.” Eric spoke after playing football with the Brigadiers of Return to Joy, “I had a lot of fun. I like playing football; we had a good game going. I scored a goal and assisted another one to one of the guys from the Red Cross. What fun, we haven’t been able to play football until today.”
Jury, 17 years of age “We lost everything. We felt the earthquake while we picked coffee. I didn’t think it was that bad because we were out in the field, until I heard ambulances and police sirens. At first I was scared because I couldn’t reach the rest of my family. It seemed like a dream. We finally met up here in the shelter. The after shocks still scare me, but less now. We really appreciate all of the help that we have received, especially when they come and play with the children.”
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The Youth Red Cross distributed the materials to the 1,000 children living in shelters this week as part of the programme Return to Joy. This programme is carried out directly in the shelters and seeks to help children regain their emotional stability through games and other activities such as story telling and puppet shows. Return to Joy also includes psychologists that visit with the children to help them talk about their experiences and overcome any trauma felt by the emergency.
