Italy Earthquake '09

The Latest from Italy

October 20th, 2009

On 06 April, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck at 3:30 am (0130 GMT) close to L'Aquila, Abruzzo. Several hundred strong aftershocks were felt after the initial earthquake, the strongest registering at 4.8 magnitude. The Civil Protection raised the death toll to more than 300, twenty-two of whom were under the age of 16. Additionally, 1,600 are injured. The government stopped the search for finding survivors.

According to the official data, L'Aquila is home to some 70,000 people. It is estimated that their are still over 41,000 people who are homeless. Tented camps, housing over 15,000 people in and around L’Aquila, are, for the most part, managed by Civil Protection. They are up and running and cater to all basic needs (shelter, water, food, sanitation). Gaps in services for children exist. Limited non-food items, in some camps, has also been identified as a need. Information from coastal areas suggests that there are approximately 25,248 people in hotels, many of whom are children (numbers unknown), who are not supported formally.

The Ministry of Education set up semi permanent schools next to all of the old schools in April in an effort to get children back to school and being reconstruction of buildings. Steady progress is being made in assessing which schools are fit for use and reconstruction efforts are still in full swing.

About 1,500 experts of Civil protection are now at work in order to check if the building can be used in L’Aquila and the neighboring villages. According to the the latest figues, 45% of buildings in the area are unfit to use.

The Italian government has earmarked 100 million Euros for the rescue, relief and reconstruction efforts. They also approved a package of emergency finance measures to help families cover the cost of rent, and suspend gas and electricity bills for two months. There are over 8,500 rescuers working to support the response.

What Save the Children is Doing

Save the Children is continuing to carry out recreational activities in Bazzano camp. Meetings with parents in are held every week. The meetings provide parents with guidance on how to help their children recover and feel safe again. Mothers are regularly involved in running camp actvities while teenagers have began to tutor young children.

At the Ex Italtel I camp, Child Friendly Spaces have thrived. 25 children are regularly attending the CFS while 32 are registered.

On August 20th, 27th and the 3rd of September, play days took place in Paganica's municipality common area with the purpose of bringing together youth and children in the 5 camps and surrounding areas. The initiative was carried out by Save the Children, Universita Cattolica di Milano (UCM), Caritas, CONI and Psicologi per I Popoli. Every week plays were shown and activities took place to bring joy to the children.

Save the Children is working in collaboration with local organizations including the, CISMAI and the local Public Health Agency in the area. We are also in close coordination with Civil Protection, organizing the emergency response. A possible partnership with the Red Cross is also being explored.

Tips for helping children deal with disasters had been translated into Italian  and had been distributed to authorities, partners and parents in the affected area. SC-I also translated additional key program materials into Italian including the CFS Manual to share minimum standards with other operational agencies working with children and ensure compliance across all of its operations.

Save the Children will continue to work hard to assist children and families in rebuilding their communities and their lives.

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