Italy Earthquake Response

On August 24, 2016, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Italy, killing 296 people and displacing some 4,000 individuals. IsraAID arrived shortly following the disaster, to support with search and rescue efforts, distribute emergency relief items, and provide psychosocial support.

Since 2016, IsraAID has remained on the ground working with our partner, Legacoop Lazio, to bolster disaster readiness measures and improve resiliency within the community, mostly centered around the city of Amatrice.

This work has focused primarily on mental health and psychosocial support, seeking to help community members process the trauma associated with the earthquake in order to move forward. Much of the project focuses on improving the capacity of the local leaders, especially social workers and therapists, to support vulnerable members of the population should another crisis strike.

As part of this program, IsraAID staff members have implemented innovative ways to access vulnerable communities and create a safe space for them to process their experience. In Amatrice, while much of the infrastructure has been repaired, other aspects including the clock in the center of the town remain in disrepair, serving as a reminder of the earthquake.

Amid this reality, providing interactive ways to engage children in processing activities is essential. Aiming to attack this challenge head on, the team created a "play-mobile"-- a repurposed bus-- full of hand-made toys specifically aiming at providing trauma processing opportunities for children. The play-mobile travels from school to school, offering a safe space for children to play out ther feelings, thus creating a developmentally appropriate outlet. This is one way in which the IsraAID team in Amatrice is working to create new and innovative ways of engaging the community with the mental health tools needed to recover.

Grazie for supporting this project!