A Safe Space After Cyclone Eloise

For the 35,000 displaced, a safe space for children.

In January 2021, Cyclone Eloise devastated Sofala province in Mozambique. Heavy rains and flooding forced 20,000 people from their homes. This was the second major cyclone to hit in under two years.

35,000 people from Buzi - a low-lying district prone to flooding - were permanently resettled in Guara-Guara. IsraAID launched a Child Friendly Space to provide urgent daily support to the displaced communities in Guara-Guara, training community volunteers to run the activities.

Activities included dancing and art to help the children process their trauma. Many children initially drew boats and helicopters, related to rescue – a sign of stress – and received psychosocial support to help minimize the long-term impact of the emergency. The CFS also offered educational activities to minimize setbacks, and facilitators promoted hygiene and handwashing, vital during COVID-19.

SPOTLIGHT: MOZAMBIQUE

“We suffered a lot from the cyclones and floods when we left Buzi. We were rescued by boat to the high school of Guara-Guara where we were resettled. We are receiving help from the government with food up to today. We lost almost everything. Being a volunteer facilitator with IsraAID is important for me because, after everything that happened, we can still bring joy to the children. Wherever I go the children call me: “Look, the auntie from our little school” and it makes me very happy.”

Sonia

Mozambique

Child Friendly Space volunteer

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