JACMEL, 29 January 2010 (IRIN) – Crowds in Haiti stampede out of buildings at the hint of a tremor; mothers refuse to breastfeed for fear of passing on their depression; people complain of headaches and insomnia. Mental health specialists say that until routines are in place and the basic needs of food, water and shelter are there, fear can obstruct personal recovery.

Save the Children Denmark is seeking to identify a number of humanitarian psychosocial experts.

If you are interested in short or long term assignments, go to http://dgroups.org/?kswbcxp8

Save the Children Denmark

www.redbarnet.dk

Brief Mental Health Guidelines for Assisting Those Affected by the Earthquake in Haiti. International Medical Corps has shared brief Mental Health Guidelines for assisting those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. They are written for the benefit of first responders working in this acute phase. Their fundamental principles should inform all ongoing interactions with affected communities.  As community-based primary health services are restored, they should be integrated into them.

www.imcworldwide.org/Page.aspx?pid=1064

On January 12, an earthquake of a magnitude of 7 on the Richter Scale fell upon Haiti. Google has immediately created a special web address to announce a contribution of 1mio dollars to the international relief effort. It is also using its powerful search engine to help find missing people.

HAITI: Special protection measures needed for Haiti’s children, says the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

[GENEVA, 18 January 2010] – The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said Monday it is deeply concerned about the devastating effects on children of the earthquake that struck Haiti last week, and urged “all those involved in the relief effort to pay particular attention to the heightened vulnerability of children who survived the disaster, and will inevitably face many additional hazards in its aftermath.”

“Children are always deeply affected by major disasters of this type, and almost half of the Haitian population are children,” the Committee said, expressing its heartfelt sympathy to the children and their families.

While encouraged by the initial reaction of the international community to assist Haiti in the aftermath of this catastrophe, the Committee called upon “all those involved to pay special attention to children in their relief as well as reconstruction efforts.”

An unknown number of children have been injured and are in urgent need of medical care, the Committee said, adding that “access to clean water and sanitation is vital to avoid the spread of communicable diseases, which can be particularly dangerous to children. The special needs and rights of children should also be taken into account during food distribution, to ensure that the food reaches those most in need, and not just those who are best placed to receive it – which is usually adults.”

See: http://en.sourcews.com/special-protection-measures-needed