China Focus
Team helps earthquake survivors' mental suffering
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-22 08:12
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PORT-AU-PRINCE: The apocalyptic earthquake that leveled much of Haiti's capital city has not only left many Haitians without food or shelter, it has taken an ongoing mental toll on survivors and rescue workers alike.
To help them cope, a Chinese medical team is on the ground here to provide any psychological assistance they require.
The Jan 12 earthquake killed an estimated 200,000 people and left as many as 2 million homeless and 250,000 needing urgent medical care.
The stress of dealing with the carnage, shattered households, aftershocks from the magnitude-7.3 earthquake, plus a lack of food and medicine could exacerbate negative emotions for the survivors and endanger their health, Cao said.
The Chinese rescue team has already started offering psychological aid, hoping to help survivors deal with the trauma.
"Whenever I see their hopelessness and suffering, apart from the pain caused by physical injuries, I feel the need to intervene," Cao said.
Nata, 22, who lost her niece and nephew in the disaster, has also been coping with a serious arm fracture. Missing her beloved family, she paced aimlessly back and forth in the medical center.
Learning of her situation, the Chinese team approached her and showed her ways out of her distress.
"You have to go either to your relatives or your friends, or just cry so you can get rid of these emotions as quickly as possible," Cao told Nata. "You need to face the facts and continue living!"
Besides providing tips on mental care, members of the Chinese rescue team also expect the people of Haiti to gather strength so the work of rebuilding the traumatized island nation can begin.
Xinhua
