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Voices from Oaxaca

Voices after the earthquake

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In November, MSF emergency response teams in Mexico City and the states of Mexico, Puebla, Oaxaca and Morelos completed the medical, mental health and health promotion activities launched after the two major earthquakes in September.

In the days following the seismic movement on 19 September, our teams in Puebla identified respiratory problems, aggravations of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and psychosomatic symptoms as the main medical conditions affecting the population.

In Oaxaca state, which was heavily affected by the earthquakes, teams provided medical care, mental healthcare and carried out health promotion activities, while training key people in the community. We gave psychological first aid training to strategic health personnel, volunteers, community leaders, and community teachers, mainly in the state's Juchitán region.

At the end of October, we completed our response to the needs for emotional stabilisation and mental healthcare in San Miguel Tecomatlán, in Mexico state, and Xochimilco, in Mexico City. In Jojutla, in Morelos state, we focused on providing psychological first aid training to health jurisdiction personnel, mental health promoters, teachers and community leaders. We also trained members of the medical emergency unit's new team.

Voices after the earthquake
MSF focused its activities of health promotion and mental health services in different spaces of public congregation, such as schools, shelters, churches, health centers, houses of culture and sports centers.
Consuelo Pagaza/MSF
Voices after the earthquake
Our teams gave support through individual consultations and group sessions.
Consuelo Pagaza/MSF
Voices from the earthquake
MSF focused its activities of health promotion and mental health services in different spaces of public congregation, such as schools, shelters, churches, health centers, houses of culture and sports centers.
Consuelo Pagaza/MSF
Voices after the earthquake
In the state of Puebla, Mexico, MSF teams identified as the main medical conditions among the population both respiratory problems and aggravations of chronic diseases, such as hypertension or diabetes, and psychosomatic symptoms.
Consuelo Pagaza/MSF
Voices from Oaxaca
A community kitchen in Juchitán serves food to residents who lost their homes after the earthquake of 7 September.
Jordi Ruiz Cirera
Voices from Oaxaca
Petrona Salinas with the items she was able to retrieve from her house. It was destroyed during the earthquake that hit Oaxaca on 7 September. Since then, Petrona has lived under canvas with her brother and disabled son. She has received psychological care from MSF.
Jordi Ruiz Cirera/MSF
Voices from Oaxaca
MSF psychologists Joyce Parra and Geyma Guerra providing care to a family that lost their home after the 7 September earthquake.
Jordi Ruiz Cirera/MSF
Voices from Oaxaca
A woman with her daughters in the remains of their family home in Juchitán. They are currently living in a shop.
Jordi Ruiz Cirera/MSF
Voices from Oaxaca
Andrés Aquino Villalobos, 32, rests in a hammock with two of his children in the remains of their home. Since the earthquake, Andrés and his extended family have lived under canvas.
Jordi Ruiz Cirera/MSF
Voices from Oaxaca
Residents of Juchitán in their home that was heavily damaged by the earthquake of 7 September.
Jordi Ruiz Cirera/MSF
Voices from Oaxaca
Teams of MSF psychologists give care to Nafina Hernández in what remains of her home after the earthquake that struck Oaxaca on 7 September.
Jordi Ruiz Cirera/MSF
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Voices from the Field 28 May 2018