AFRICA/KENYA - High risk of mental health problems for refugee children

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - About 18 million children around the world have been forced to flee their homes because of conflict, one third of these are refugees whose families have crossed international borders. To explain the consequences on their mental health, the British newspaper, The Lancet, has reviewed all of the work done so far on the subject to try to figure out how to help these children and their families.
In Darfur and in Chad, boys and girls suffered violence, usually while they were engaged to collect firewood. At least 75% of the children interviewed in refugee camps in Darfur have symptoms of post traumatic stress and depressive symptoms in 38%. A positive factor was the maintenance of community facilities in the new context. The continuity and community support helps the children to react to the shock of exile. The refugee children keep in their memories for a long time past events with repercussions in their daily lives.
The study revealed that continuous exposure to violence increases the risk of subsequent psychological disorders, as well as destroying the integrity of the family. The high rates of domestic violence in the stressful environment of the refugee camps, cause great difficulties in children, who are also very sensitive to their parents worries. Traumatic events that occurred before the birth of the child may cause mental disorders. The local people, who are just as poor and needy, can be hostile and threatening towards the newcomers because of the limited resources available. Although in the richest countries there are more resources for refugee children, problems still remain. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 14/09/2011)