In the three months since a magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocked the Central Visayas region of the Philippines on October 15, CFSI has been working in Bohol Province to provide much-needed humanitarian support to children in affected communities.
In partnership with UNICEF, CFSI is implementing the “Child Protection and Education Project” (CPEP), which is aimed at providing a safe and secure environment for children, as well ensuring continuous access to psychosocial activities, preschool and basic education.
It is addressing children’s potential psychosocial issues and promoting general wellbeing and recovery for an estimated 2,500 children and 1,000 adults. The October earthquake was the strongest to hit Bohol in close to 25 years, killing 195 people and injuring a further 651, and resulting in landslides and extensive damage to houses, schools, hospitals and other vital infrastructure. It affected 1.25 million people, of whom 525,000 were children, and left 360,000 people displaced, of whom 153,000 were children.
CFSI’s Bohol team organized Community Assemblies in seven barangays, involving a total of 577 people, to discuss the CPEP and the establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces and Temporary Learning Spaces
During the Community Assemblies, CFSI community organizers were able to identify focal points to help with the construction of Child-Friendly Spaces and Temporary Learning Spaces as well as possible volunteers for CFS/TLS sessions
CFSI Community Organizer Jasmine Alontaga conducts a psychosocial activity with Grades 5 and 6 students at Pangangan Elementary School in Calape municipality