Protecting the Young: Our First Commitment
By Parveena Muhammedkhajaeva Dushanbe, Tajikistan, June 16, 2008 - Around 50 experts participated at the training on Early Childhood Development (ECD) workshop as preparations for a humanitarian emergency are developed in Tajikistan. The training was provided by UNICEF in a close cooperation with the Ministries of Health and Education, and international non-governmental organizations: Save the children, Step by Step Programme and Operations Mercy. The training was held at Kokhi Vahdat Complex in Dushanbe on June 9-15, 2008 and will be further repeated at district levels. Billed as the first ECD in Emergency in Tajikistan, the training was grounded on the principle that “children in the midst of armed conflict and natural disasters have the same needs and rights as children in stable conditions”. The workshop prepared a cadre of ECD practitioners (comprising pre-school teachers, parents, interested adolescents) to become volunteers who could competently prepare and facilitate stimulation activities for children 0-8 years during and after an emergency. The volunteers were guided on the basics in creating low cost safe simulating environments for young children during emergencies A series of simulation activities in community will be the final phase of the training. It is expected that the volunteers will be innovative in creating a stimulating environment under emergency conditions. The use of tents, sheds and other safe open spaces is encouraged. Community participation will be encouraged. Dr Gulbahor Boboeva, Deputy Chief Doctor of Isfara Central Hospital and ECD Coordinator said that issues discussed and exercised in the training gave a new insight for ECD practitioners. ECD exists in Tajikistan in a limited way. This training highlighted its importance particularly in an emergency situation which requires a practical approach. In the last severe winter a core ECD issue arose, that of parental involvement, identification of the best practices and empowering parents in their role in the learning process. This new approach will help to promote and develop communication between child, educators and parents. “We clearly understand that only about 10 % of human health and development in an emergency depends on medical staff and education. We have to understand better the role families and communities can play too,” said Dr Gulbahor “Psychosocial support and provision of stimulation activities are critical to children’s coping mechanisms during and after emergencies,” said Audrey Michele Rodrigues, Core Facilitator of the ECD Workshop. She pointed out that attention to developmental needs and the psycho-social development of the children are very limited during the emergencies as parents, who battle with the ravages of poverty, due to natural disasters as well as economic and social shocks, have as their main concern, the provision of food and shelter for their children. It is important that appropriate ways are provided for children to vent their frustration. The use of punching bags, water play and painting are very simple, easily accessible and useful tools to remove children’s aggravation during and after an emergency”, continued Audrey Michele Rodrigues. She also pointed out that simple activities such as a child pouring water from glass to another one, stringing beads are useful for hand –eye coordination and small muscle control “. This meeting of teachers, doctors and NGO representative around one table developed many good ideas for an integrated approach to children’s issues during and after an emergency. “We are now aware that preparation for a possible emergency is the best way to meet the challenges, rather than crying if any emergency comes,” said Dr. Gulbahor Boboeva at the end of one interactive session on simulated emergency situation.
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