Children affected by disasters in Costa Rica are helped by local Red Cross youth in their struggle to return to their normal lives. Aimed at bringing smiles back to the faces of children affected by disaster, trained youth volunteers bring toys and games to the children and engage them in fun activities, through the UNICEF programme return of happiness.

Children have special needs in times of disaster. This programme focuses on children’s rights in emergencies, and is designed to provide children with psychological and emotional support in difficult times. With the help of volunteers, the children share their stories, play games and listen to music.

In Costa Rica, the Red Cross youth have already used the methods once so far, when a neighbourhood of San José, the capital of Costa Rica, burned, leaving thousands of people homeless. “Looking back, the project, and the Red Cross Youth involvement, worked wonderfully,” says Juan Carlos Hernandez Lios, National Youth Director of the Costa Rican Red Cross Society. “My dream is to see this approach adopted throughout the Central American region.”