BANGUED, Abra (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with the  Australian Aid recently held  “A Child Friendly Space” activity  in this capital town, one of the hardest-hit municipalities  during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Egay last month.

Around 200 children from all the barangays in the municipality received  gifts, hygiene kits, foods and snacks. There were also children’s entertainment and other health activities such as teaching of proper hand washing.

This psychosocial support to communities hit by the recent typhoon is part of the continuing  relief operations of the PRC in the province, said PRC- Abra Chapter Administrator Jen Bernal.

“They need this psychosocial support. Relief operation is not limited to giving foods and other items only,  instead through  this we strengthen resilience among families to recover from the impacts of the recent calamity,” she said.

Emelyn Dacuyan from Barangay Sinapangan  expressed gratitude  to the Red Cross for organizing such activity because her family with a 6-year-old daughter had a traumatic experience during the flood in their barangay.

“Lumikas kami agad noon, naiwan namin yung bahay namin, mga kagamitan at iba pa. Wala kaming nakuha, at dito kami sa Capitol nag-stay ng matagal kaya kawawa ang mga bata noon,” she  narrated.

Dacuyan said that the activity  somehow destressed  the children from their traumatic experiences during the typhoon.

Bernal said that  with the activity,  they  ensure that affected individuals   receive the necessary care  to protect their  psychosocial well-being  and to cope with the current situation. (JDP/CAGT - PIA CAR, Abra)