Flood victims, especially kids, still in trauma
Weeks after typhoon "Frank" flooded and communities, children have resumed playing at the playground of the Gawad Kalinga village in Barangay Buntatala in Jaro District here.
But when it rains, the children would run to their parents and cry. "Is the flood coming again?" they would ask.
This was how Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo described the not too visible but deeper effects of the the worst flooding experienced on Panay Island.
He said that aside from providing food, clothing and other relief assistance to flood victims, there is an urgent need to help them cope with the emotional and psychological impact of disaster.
"We need to address the emotional state of this people because of this trauma," Lagdameo said in an interview.
He said thousands of residents who were left homeless or were forced to climb on roofs and trees to escape the flood are fearful that the tragedy would strike again.
The prelate said helping deal with the trauma should be part of the rehabilitation program for the victims especially those who losttheir loved ones.
Lagdameo said they plan to adopt a 4-year old member of the Tayo family from Barangay Napnapan in Tigbauan town, who was orphaned after eight member of the child's family died at the height of the typhoon.
He said priests and lay workers of the Jaro archdiocese are conducting meetings to draw up programs to help the victims deal with the trauma.
While the typhoon brought unprecedented deaths and destruction to Panay residents, Lagdameo said it also became an opportunity to help one another.
"It became a venue to show our care for our neighbor," he said.
Lagdameo lauded the outpouring of help from private groups and individuals here and abroad.
But he said that the people can seethat some of the politicians involved in relief work have "ulterior motives."
He also urged relief agencies to ensure that the assistance is given to those who need it most because there has been reports that relief goods have been given even to non-victims.
"It's not being uncharitable. But charity demands that we reach out first to people who need help most," said Lagdameo.