Ministry of Social Affairs Sends Psychologists for Child Survivors of Bima Flash Flood Victims

BIMA (April 10, 2021) - The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs through the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation and "Paramita" Children's Center in Matarm dispatched psychologists to conduct Psychological First Aid (PFA) for at least 100 children in 4 Child Social Service Agencies (LKSA) in Bolo District which is one of the areas affected by flash floods. In accordance with the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini that the Centers must respond quickly to social problems that occur, the "Paramita" Children's Center in Mataram assigned a team to respond to the flash flood case.

The first location visited by the team was LKSA An-Nur Al-Hidayah in the Bolo sub-district, Bima district. At that location, there was 1 child with the initials AM aged 3 years and 1 month who experienced a change in behavior after the flood incident. He behaved like a child who withdrew from the environment, did not want to play with the surrounding environment, and only wanted to be carried by the mother. He cried when left alone even if only briefly and there are other people around him. In addition, his appetite also decreases, and looks unenthusiastic. It is indicated that he has acute stress disorder.

Interventions in the form of psychoeducation for AM's biological mother have been provided by the Psychologist at the "Paramita" Children's Center in the form of steps in dealing with trauma healing in children. Apart from that, psychoeducation was also given to mothers who attended the event in the context of preventive treatment of trauma in children.

The mothers who participated in the activity were given explanations by psychologists about how to act and behave when a flood disaster returns so that parents can teach their children these preventive plans and prevent possible stress or trauma from occurring to children after a disaster.

Putri Wahyuni, Child Clinical Psychologist at "Paramita" Children's Center in Mataram said, "Efforts to provide this kind of psychoeducation are really needed to provide knowledge for mothers who have children so that their children do not experience stress disorder in the first handling of children's psychological conditions after a disaster."

The last visit was at LKSA Nurul Muhtar in Bolo District, Bima Regency. There were 25 children who were given PFA. The same thing happened to LKSA Madinah Putra & Putri with LKSA Nurul Muhtar. After the flood, all the children also felt scared, but now all the children are no longer afraid.

Children's emotions at this time are reduced and what they feel now is happiness. This is because children feel they get support from the environment such as family and friends. Children can also divert fearful thoughts by doing more useful activities such as reciting the Koran, studying, and playing. These two factors strengthen the healing of the child's psychological condition due to the flood disaster.

In each of the LKSAs that have been visited, the "Paramita" Children's Center in Mataram Team provided Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) support i.e basic necessities which were the result of an assessment of Bima District social workers. The children's happiness after receiving the aid is illustrated by their eyes and voice while receiving the items.