24 Aug 2016

New resources for Fiji children traumatised post-cyclone

From , 5:04 am on 24 August 2016

Books featuring cartoons and true local stories have been created to help traumatised children in Fiji suffering from the effects of Tropical Cyclone Winston which hit Fiji earlier this year.

Up to 70 Fijians, including artists and poets, helped to design eight books featuring real stories from Fijian children, both during and after the cyclone.

UNICEF's Dr Karen Allen said it was important that children could relate to the images in the book and it was hoped that this would help children talk more openly about the experience that they underwent.

Dr Allen told Amy Harrison that although Fiji is working on restoring damaged infrastructure, the emotional scars from the cyclone remain, leaving children with high levels of anxiety that is disrupting their learning.

The Reigning Miss Hibiscus 2015, Marie Fall, takes part in a special reading with children of the newly launched locally produced children’s story books.

The Reigning Miss Hibiscus 2015, Marie Fall, reads some of the newly launched books to children. Photo: UNICEF Pacific/2016/JHing