(Rome, Italy, 5 July 2009) – Three months after the devastating earthquake that struck L’Aquila survivors still need continued support warned Save the Children.

Of the estimated 70,000 people who were affected by the earthquake it is estimated that the number of children and adolescents affected is 12,530, of which 5,988 are children who range in years from 0 to 9 years old with the number of adolescents (10 to 19 years) at 6,542.

Currently there are 1,229 people living  in 143 camps set up in Aquila. And many of these are those who have moved to the Adriatic coast.

 "Now that the acute emergency phase has passed children have partly overcome their fears. However, those living in the camps or in hotels still have to deal with a very challenging life: new living conditions: imposed cohabitation with strangers, close oppressive living conditions, and excessive heat, is taking its toll," said Francesca Petrecca, Emergency Response Coordinator, Save the Children Italy.

Save the Children has been working to assist children in their emotional recovery form this traumatic experience. The agency established four supervised safe areas in the camps for those displaced by the earthquake. These spaces allow children to come together and play – a crucial step in their recovery. This also allowed parents time to begin rebuilding their lives, secure in the knowledge their children were being looked after.

Many of those made homeless moved to the coast where Save the Children Italy with local partner, Termana, has helped support the, “It begins with You” project. This project aims to establish emotional support programmes for the children affected by the Abruzzo earthquake. 

These initiatives allow children to regain a  sense of normalcy and to work through the fears caused by the earthquake, so that they can start the process of recovery. Having a simple routine during such uncertain times provides comfort to children affected by disasters.  

Save the Children has now reached 200 children and young people, while the number of beneficiaries we have reached indirectly, including family members, now numbers 600.

"People are trying, albeit gradually, to return to their normal routines. This slow journey back to normalcy for both children and their families is being undertaken even though intense tremors continue. More than anything however, what we are seeing is that children and their families are afraid that they will be left to cope by themselves now that the acute emergency phase is over,” said Petrecca.

“We have achieved a great deal in the last three months but we must not be complacent. We must show them that we are here for the long term recovery for them and their communities,” said Petrecca.

More information

For media interviews both in English or Italian, please contact Sarah Tyler or Fosca Nomis on +44 7958 337 624.