Published: 17 September 2004
According to Russian authorities, 1,200 people in Beslan need direct psychological help after the tragic hostage-taking that ended on September 3rd in mass casualties. But according to the Russian Red Cross, thousands more are in need of long-term psychological support and they include families and friends of the ex-hostages.
Some 30 psychologists are currently counseling victims of the hostage crisis in hospitals in Beslan and nearby Vladikavkaz, helping them come to terms with these tragic events. The death toll of the school hostage crisis in Beslan has risen to 339. A further 300 injured adults and children remain in hospital for treatment and some 90 bodies are still lying in morgues, disfigured and unidentified.
“I agree with the figure of 1,200 ex-hostages, children and adults, who will need long-term psychological support. In my opinion however, I would multiply that figure by ten,” explains Dr. Vyacheslav Kordinov, chief doctor of Beslan Central hospital and chairman of the local Russian Red Cross. “We should not forget about all their relatives and friends as well as the doctors who have been taking care of them, non-stop, from the beginning of this tragedy and who will also need help to overcome this trauma.”
The Russian Red Cross and the International Federation launched a preliminary appeal for nearly 865,000 Swiss francs (680,00 USD / 563,000 euro) on September 6 to provide long term rehabilitation support to people affected by the hostage crisis. The Red Cross aims to alleviate post traumatic stress through the provision of psychological counseling and physiotherapy at two rehabilitation centres in Beslan. Through group and individual consultations for families, children and adults at the centre, at schools, and at other locations, Russian Red Cross visiting nurses and psychologists will focus on reducing stress and fear among the local population.
“ It will take many, many months for the population of Beslan to overcome this tragedy. The role of the community-based Russian Red Cross visiting nurses will be a crucial one to bring essential comfort and support to families torn apart by the deaths of their children,” says Tatiana Nikolaenko, President of the Russian Red Cross. “We must make sure all those traumatized are taken care of.”
The centres will also act as a social club/meeting place for the children of Beslan. The Russian Red Cross will create a book library, an internet club, and a fitness club to stimulate children and encourage positive behaviour. In the meantime, Red Cross staff and volunteers are working side by side with Russian authorities to try and bring support to a town drowning in grief.