Supporting young survivors towards recovery
Storm Denial in Libya
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- العربية
In the heart of Derna, Libya, the lives of residents were severely affected after September 9, when Storm Denial, akin to a hurricane, caused floods of unprecedented magnitude. The catastrophe altered the city's landscape, claiming thousands of lives and leaving a scar on the community's soul. Among the most vulnerable to this disaster were the children, whose worlds turned upside down in hours. Before the storm, Derna was a place of joy and laughter for children like Nouria and Basant, both 10 years old. They attended school, played with friends, and lived a life filled with the simple pleasures of childhood. However, the aftermath of Denial painted a starkly different picture.
Nouria, having lost her father to the flood and displaced from her home, found herself grappling with grief and loss. "I remember the fear and confusion that night," Nouria recounted.
"The storm took away my father, our home, and the sense of safety I once felt."
Basant, though fortunate to have her family safe, was deeply affected by the loss of her friend's father and the devastation around her.
"The city I knew, the people I loved, everything changed," Basant shared. “It showed me how easily things can break in our lives”.
In response, UNICEF expanded its Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) interventions through mobile response teams implemented by the UNICEF Child Protection program. This primarily focused on psychosocial support Levels 1 and 2, reaching 71,830 children (11,610 directly through 16 mobile teams at child-friendly spaces, schools, and community settings, and 60,220 through the distribution of recreational and early development kits in schools, social solidarity institutions, and safe spaces in the affected areas).
"Our mission is to reach out to the children affected by the crisis, to bring back normalcy to their lives, and to empower them to overcome the trauma."Nouria now feels much better as she explains her eagerness for a bright future: “I look forward to my future where I would become a teacher, as my father used to call me “my teacher!” Nouria Abu Khasi’s mother, Mrs. Hiyam Al-Ferjani, said: “I was deeply concerned for Nouri's mental well-being, but with the schools reopening and the mental health and psychosocial support services provided thereby UNICEF, a sense of reassurance gradually started to fill my heart. It helped to ease the daily stresses that Nouria faces.”
In 2023, UNICEF continued supporting the delivery of quality child protection services. As a result, 4,932 children benefitted from referral services, 1,360 children received individual case management. Additionally, 154 Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) were supported through UNICEF's best interest assessments and referral to services.
The program focuses on creating safe spaces for children to express their emotions, engage in educational and recreational activities, and receive counseling from trained professionals. By fostering resilience and providing continuous support, UNICEF aims to ensure that children can navigate through their grief, rebuild their confidence, and adapt to the new realities of their lives.
