10 STEPS
TO DEAL WITH THE EFFECTS
OF NATURAL DISASTERS

STEP 1 >YOUR RESOURCES: LET YOURSELF BE HELPED
First, identify all the resources available at emergency facilities, such as:
• First aid centers
• Distribution of essential goods (water, food, blankets, tents)
• If you notice worrying signs in the child’s attitudes and behaviors, immediately seek help from the volunteers and specialists present who can support you.

Listen to “STEP 1 > YOUR RESOURCES: LET YOURSELF BE HELPED” on Spreaker.

STEP 2 >YOU ARE IMPORTANT: BE AN EXAMPLE
Remember that the child watches you, copies your emotions, your mood. You are their point of reference: you can help them overcome these difficult moments with your presence and example. Connect with the best part of yourself in this way: take a few deep breaths to calm yourself and find a place of clarity within. Ask yourself what is truly important to you and what you want your child to learn from this situation. Let your most intimate and important values guide you in this moment to stay by your child’s side. Commit to following the instructions in this guide.

STEP 3 >CREATE THE CONDITIONS: CHOOSE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
All natural disasters are destabilizing events for us adults, and even more so for children.
Help them regain a sense of calm by moving to a safe place:
• Move away from areas that are still at risk
• Try to stay with them as much as possible
• Do not expose them to excessive stimuli, such as group situations where strong discomfort about the event is expressed. Avoid leaving them in front of the TV or cellphone where they are exposed to scenes of pain and news coverage
• Once in a safe place, encourage them to play, draw, read: these activities are crucial to help them express their emotions and process what they are experiencing.

STEP 4 >RECOGNIZE THE NEED: INCREASE YOUR ATTENTION
In these conditions, children may need support, but often do not express it in words. If the child shows the following behaviors, know that they probably need your help and closeness. Here are some signs to watch for:
• Amplifies their emotions, even the simplest ones
• Moves less than usual, isolates themselves
• Remains silent, sometimes staring into space
• Talks about the event, but only with peers
Remember to seek a state of relaxation and maintain calm and clarity to connect with the child. Ask how they are and what they think is happening. Listen without judgment, making them feel welcomed. Respect their requests (e.g., “hug me,” “explain what is happening,” “let’s play together,” “stay with me,” “talk to me”). Embrace their emotions and don’t be afraid of not having answers or communicating your feelings with empathetic phrases that make them feel understood: “I don’t have the answer right now, but we can ask for help,” “I am scared too, but together we can get through this moment.”

STEP 5 >HELPFUL HABITS: CHOOSE A REGULAR ACTIVITY
For both adults and children, in emergency situations like a natural disaster (floods, landslides, earthquakes, etc.), it is essential to maintain a stable daily routine and try to re-establish habits from before the event as much as possible. Small, regular daily activities help your family regain safety, confidence, and calm. Find a quiet place in your day several times to share a common habit:
• A song you often sang together
• A game you often played together
• A walk hand in hand
• A moment of cuddling and/or chatting together

STEP 6 >REGAINING REFERENCES: REESTABLISH SECURITY
To reestablish a sense of security and familiarity, certain objects that hold special meaning for the child can be helpful. If possible, allow the use of a toy or personal item (preferably intact) that the child was particularly attached to and often kept with them before the calamitous event. However, let the child choose whether to keep it with them or not. If it is not possible to find such an object, use notebooks, pencils, crayons for drawing, or other items that can evoke pleasant routines.

STEP 7 >REGULARITY SUPPORTS YOU: TAKE SMALL ACTIONS EVERY DAY
Regularity is essential for children’s development. Natural disasters temporarily disrupt it, but you can restore it through small daily actions. Try to establish a daily rhythm for your family defined by regular schedules, such as meal times, play times, and moments together.

STEP 8 >SLEEP: TAKE CARE OF THE BEDTIME MOMENT
During events such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, etc., children may have difficulty falling asleep and may wake up frequently. In this case:
• Do not force sleep
• Accompany them to rest with your presence
• Do not go too far: in case of awakening, they can easily find you
• Make the place where they will fall asleep as welcoming and calm as possible, at least half an hour before bedtime

STEP 9 >TELLING THE EVENT: CHOOSE YOUR WORDS
Children are curious and ask many questions, but in situations like these, it may take them some time to formulate them. Respect and listen to their timing. When they need some explanation about what happened, you can follow these guidelines:
• Find a calm and quiet place
• Use simple and understandable words
• Speak calmly
• Always use the same version, possibly enriching it over time
• Make it clear that help is available and on the way
• With older children over 7 years old, you can prudently share your sadness about what happened using phrases like: 1. “I feel a bit sad in this situation because I realize the damage that the flood/landslide/earthquake/etc has caused…”; 2. “… I am also relieved, however, that many people are fine and that there are people helping us…”; 3. “… Help is coming from many places, and we know that gradually the situation will improve more and more.”

STEP 10 >THE STRENGTH OF THE GROUP: SHARE THIS GUIDE
Now that you have done everything possible for the little ones, you can also help them by participating in coordinated activities to support your community and by sharing this guide.