IHH Nederland holds play therapy for ‘Sendong’ survivors

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

THOUSANDS of residents in Cagayan de Oro who survived the wrath of Tropical Storm Sendong have undergone a debriefing activity dubbed “Play therapy” conducted by representatives of IHH Nederland on Sunday afternoon at Liceo de Cagayan University.

The survivors came from barangays Balulang, Consolacion and Iponan.
The activity was conducted in three parts -- play therapy for the children who may have experienced trauma; the distribution of around 1,500 food packs and the distribution of cow’s meat to 450 families.

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Mahmut Dalkilic from the Turkish-Filipino Friendship and Solidarity Association (TUFIFSA) said the activity was carried out in close cooperation with Liceo de Cagayan University and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Dalkilic said the play therapy was conducted for the children because “we want to change their climate and change their place.”

“We invited mascots, magicians and clowns to entertain the kids,” Dalkilic said.

Selami Yuksel of IHH Nederland, a Turkish national, said they are in Cagayan de Oro to distribute clothing and food to the typhoon survivors, which were donated by their Muslim brothers from Nederland through the IHH Nederland.

Yuksel said the people from Europe are sending their regards to the Sendong victims, citing that they share the same feeling.

The IHH Nederlands have provided financial assistance worth around P700,000 for the ‘Sendong’ victims.

Dalkilic said among their Turkish brothers from Netherlands who donated cow’s meat include Hacer Goktas, Halit Kelesoglu, Hatice Gunes, Hanife Ozer, Senay Aydin, Selami Yuksel, Zeynep Yuksel, Murat Yuksel, Selime Sener and Hakan Karaca.

The group also distributed bags, donuts and drinks for at least 1,300 children who attended the activity.

On Monday and Tuesday, the group also visited Iligan City for another round of distribution.

The IHH is an international humanitarian relief organization that provides relief activities all over the world such as in Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The organization has supported thousands of orphans in different countries and has provided water pumps.

Presently, the organization is building a school in Ethiopia, which is expected to be completed this year.