Emergency Response Unit works with Philippine Red Cross youth to prevent violence in post-typhoon Philippines

Violence often increases during and after disasters and emergencies. In times of crisis, individuals and communities may lose their regular coping mechanisms while they experience the overwhelming stress that is present in the aftermath of a disaster.  These tensions and experiences may erupt into violence directed towards others, self-harm, or manifest in long-term psychological trauma.

Preventing the secondary emergency of rising post-typhoon violence is one role of the Red Cross health emergency response unit currently working in Ormoc, Philippines. Situated on hard-hit Leyte Island, many Filipino families lost their homes, livelihoods, and support networks. The emergency continues as many seek short-term shelter and wonder how they will support their families in the weeks and months ahead.

To limit this secondary emergency, the health emergency response unit has trained 16 Philippine Red Cross disaster responders - primarily youth volunteers - in violence prevention and psychosocial support. The training explored the roles of men and women, boys and girls in addressing the problem, understanding that they may experience violence in their communities differently, and that all have a role to play in ending it.

Joseph Joshua (JJ) Magtuba, 16, participated in the training and has since been using his new skills to help relieve stress among children and adults in communities where the Philippine Red Cross is distributing much-needed relief supplies. "Its so important for kids and adults to learn to manage their stress," he said. "Through this training I learned that violence is never the answer, and I wanted to share that with my community." For JJ, the highlight of his new role as a Red Cross youth volunteer is helping kids to move on from the disaster. "I know that when I help the kids to move on, I help their parents, too," he added.

The youth volunteers quickly put their new skills to work, integrating violence prevention messages and activities into every Philippine Red Cross distribution of much-needed supplies, such as food and other relief items. In only three days, the program has reached 700 children and adults with violence prevention messages, teaching stress coping mechanisms and other tools to combat the violence that can stem from disasters of this scope.

The Philippine Red Cross will continue to integrate these violence prevention and psychosocial activities into all of their emergency relief distributions, with a target of reducing and preventing violence in 110 municipalities in Ormoc District.

The Philippine Red Cross has developed a strong culture of volunteerism across the country. Across cities, towns and villages, Red Cross volunteers are active not only when things go wrong, but in first aid training, disaster preparedness and health promotion. When a disaster like Typhoon Haiyan strikes, it is these teams on the frontline of the Red Cross response. Now, by integrating violence prevention into relief distribution and other critical services, Philippine Red Cross violence prevention volunteers will magnify the reach of their important message.