Fundación Integra guides Chilean parents on supporting children during emergencies

Fundación Integra, a Chilean educational organization, issued practical advice for parents and caregivers to help children cope with emergencies such as the recent climate crises in the Valparaíso region. Psychologist Andrea Huerta of the National Education Directorate and María José Pérez, director of Fundación Integra’s National Education program, emphasize observing children’s behavior, gestures and play as key signals of emotional distress.

They recommend using simple, age‑appropriate language, offering reassurance, and maintaining calm. Caregivers are urged to manage their own emotions through self‑care strategies—recognising feelings, prioritising urgent needs, and seeking support from family or friends when needed. The guidance highlights common reactions in children, including fear, irritability, changes in appetite, sleep difficulties and heightened need for containment, which should gradually ease in a stable, supportive environment.