region: -> Queensland
website: -> http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm?msource=wexgggaf1010

notes: Australia: Safe spaces for children affected by the Queensland floods Source: Save the Children Date: 14 Jan 2011 14 January 2011 - As flood waters peak in the Brisbane CBD, Save the Children has established further child-friendly spaces in Brisbane evacuation centres to assist children and families who have been forced to evacuate their homes. With 75 per cent of Queensland now declared a disaster zone, Save the Children has staff into Rockhampton, Emerald and Brisbane, and is currently assessing the logistics of providing assistance for children and their families in Ipswich. Save the Children's Emergencies Director in Australia, Mike Penrose, is in Queensland working with local authorities to ensure the needs of children are not overlooked. "As the flood levels rise, there is a growing need to support children and their families through this time of crisis. Save the Children Australia has deployed qualified staff into the communities most affected, where displacement is anticipated for some time, to support the needs of children by establishing child-friendly spaces in evacuation and recovery centres," says Mr Penrose. Child-friendly spaces protect children and give them a place to play and recover from the suffering they have endured and witnessed, helping children regain a little normalcy in these highly abnormal times. They also provide much needed respite for parents. In areas where flood waters are beginning to recede, the hard work begins for many families, as they return to their homes and attempt to re-establish livelihoods. Save the Children's child-friendly spaces provide supervised care for children of all ages, while their parents are able to begin the all-important task of rebuilding, knowing that their children are safe. "The enormity of what these families are going through cannot be ignored. Save the Children Australia is drawing on our experience with large scale emergencies, such as the Pakistan floods and Haiti earthquake, to ensure we provide the best possible on the ground support for Queensland children affected by the flooding," says Mr Penrose. If you would like to support Save the Children's work with the children and families affected by the Queensland floods make a donation at 0800 167 168 or http://www.savethechildren.org.nz -> Australia: Safe spaces for children affected by the Queensland floods Source: Save the Children Date: 14 Jan 2011 14 January 2011 - As flood waters peak in the Brisbane CBD, Save the Children has established further child-friendly spaces in Brisbane evacuation centres to assist children and families who have been forced to evacuate their homes. With 75 per cent of Queensland now declared a disaster zone, Save the Children has staff into Rockhampton, Emerald and Brisbane, and is currently assessing the logistics of providing assistance for children and their families in Ipswich. Save the Children's Emergencies Director in Australia, Mike Penrose, is in Queensland working with local authorities to ensure the needs of children are not overlooked. "As the flood levels rise, there is a growing need to support children and their families through this time of crisis. Save the Children Australia has deployed qualified staff into the communities most affected, where displacement is anticipated for some time, to support the needs of children by establishing child-friendly spaces in evacuation and recovery centres," says Mr Penrose. Child-friendly spaces protect children and give them a place to play and recover from the suffering they have endured and witnessed, helping children regain a little normalcy in these highly abnormal times. They also provide much needed respite for parents. In areas where flood waters are beginning to recede, the hard work begins for many families, as they return to their homes and attempt to re-establish livelihoods. Save the Children's child-friendly spaces provide supervised care for children of all ages, while their parents are able to begin the all-important task of rebuilding, knowing that their children are safe. "The enormity of what these families are going through cannot be ignored. Save the Children Australia is drawing on our experience with large scale emergencies, such as the Pakistan floods and Haiti earthquake, to ensure we provide the best possible on the ground support for Queensland children affected by the flooding," says Mr Penrose. If you would like to support Save the Children's work with the children and families affected by the Queensland floods make a donation at 0800 167 168 or http://www.savethechildren.org.nz
areas_served: -> Rockhampton, Emerald and Brisbane, currently assessing the logistics of providing assistance for children and their families in Ipswich.