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Save the Children and FEMA Partner to Improve Quality of Life for Children in Gulf Coast Temporary Housing Sites
Pilot project to focus on creating safe and protective communities
Washington, D.C. (July 24, 2006) —Save the Children and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will implement a new pilot program to improve services for children and families living in temporary housing group sites in the Gulf Coast Region, the agencies announced today.
The Safe and Protective Communities Project will create community spaces where group site residents can gather to interact positively with one another and receive essential services and support.
Save the Children recently released a report calling for greater attention to the needs of children in disaster responses, and for children’s issues to be addressed when designing and creating transitional housing sites.
The pilot project will provide a physical meeting space for residents to assemble and receive relevant information and services. Save the Children will help facilitate community meetings and design safe play spaces. The agency will work to foster collaboration among residents and local private and public organizations, addressing issues identified by residents as critical to their recovery. The ultimate goal is to create a protective environment for children living in the community.
The Diamond Group Site in Plaquemines Parish, La., has been selected as the first pilot site, with the support of state and local leaders.
“Our partnership seeks to improve the lives of children and their families who have endured the devastating impacts of last year’s hurricanes. Together, we have the opportunity to help residents restore a sense of community in temporary housing sites,” said Mark Shriver, vice president and managing director for U.S. Programs at Save the Children.
“Through this collaboration we are able to extend beyond the normal range of services traditionally provided in our group sites,” commented Gil Jamieson, FEMA’s deputy director for Gulf Coast Recovery. “Children are particularly vulnerable in disasters and, through this effort, we are making strides toward meeting their special needs,” he concluded.
The pilot project will focus on:
- Creating safe and age-appropriate play areas;
- Developing interactive meeting spaces that link residents with state and local resources and facilitates integration into local communities; and
- Facilitating children’s integration into new schools by providing teachers with appropriate programming and support
Learn More About Save the Children's Response in the Gulf Coast
>Download the report on Assessments of Temporary Housing Camps for Hurricane-Displaced Children and Families
Read testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works by Mark Shriver (Vice President snd Managing Director for U.S. Programs on the unique needs of children in emergencies.)
