Summer camp for IDP children
While serving the needs of an IDP population living in camps
with all necessary practical items one should not forget that
there is another important task - the alleviation of
psychological stress. It becomes even more important if we speak
about the IDP children who experienced together the hardship of
war. Realizing that, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society came up
with a proposal to implement a summer programme for children from
the so-called Southern Camps.
Supported by the International Federation and the
International Committee of Red Cross, the Azeri Red Crescent
organized a camp to accommodate some forty children aged between
10 to 15 years old. Needless to say that children's faces beamed
with joy while they were standing in line under the two flags -
the Azeri national and the Red Crescent - hoisted up at the
official opening ceremony on the 10th of August. Located in the
Artem island, about 70 km away from Baku, the camp will be 'home'
to the children for the next two weeks.
'Our main purpose is two-fold' says Mrs. Zarifa Husseynova,
Acting President of the Azeri Red Crescent. 'Firstly we are
endeavoring to provide a healthy environment, sports activities
and entertainment for the children. Another important task for us
is to instill the Red Cross and Red Crescent spirit in the
children. This will be done through specially designed lectures,
video presentations and role play sessions. So there is a lot to
do, but I hope we will succeed'.
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