Beslan Assistance - Keystone Human Services International

Keystone Human Services International

Keystone Supports Beslan

As we mourn the loss of life at Virginia Tech University, we are sadly reminded of what took place on the first day of school in the year 2004, in Beslan Russia. On that day, September 1st, 2004, a previously unthinkable hostage situation began to unfold. The horrors of the ensuing days are perhaps fading from the minds of much of the world, but are etched into the minds of the people of the region, and here at Keystone Human Services. School children, teachers, parents, and siblings were held captive in Beslan’s Middle School No. 1 for three days with almost no food or water. At least 338 were killed – half of them children – and 700 injured when a bomb was detonated, causing the gymnasium roof to collapse and sparking a firefight.

Afterwards Keystone Human Services, along with much of the world, extended heartfelt condolences to our Russian friends and offered to help. Drawing on our experience in the areas of postvention services and post traumatic stress intervention, we were able to offer specific advice, and to support the people of Beslan in their response to the attack. Our Russian colleagues working in Beslan and Moscow welcomed the insights and experience of our Student Assistance Program (SAP) specialists in trauma management, and our mental health professionals. Keystone’s work in Russia in support of Beslan mental health workers was sponsored by our partner, the Association of Experts on the Problems of Children, Emilia Chervinskaya, President, and facilitated by Otradnoye, which provided logistical support, meeting space, and hospitality throughout the seminar.

For many years Keystone’s SAP team members have provided support and consultation to school professionals, students and family members during crisis situations related to suicides, accidents and other violent deaths as well as other critical events affecting community life in our schools. We have learned that effective intervention can minimize the long term impact of such events on the lives of the survivors as they struggle to gain an understanding of the traumatic event.

Our experience in working with large-scale trauma informs us that after some time has passed and the immediate response to the tragedy has faded, the need for support does not diminish; it changes. We continue to provide support to the counselors and responders on the ground in Beslan, many of whom have become traumatized themselves as a result of supporting the victims and their families. The situation in Beslan inevitably drains the emotional and financial resources of the community, and we pledge to continue our support.

Our experience also tells us that, over time, a disaster-weary world can forget victims. Much has happened in the world since the attacks, and, sadly, Keystone’s resources have been needed in other tragedies. Despite that, our commitment to the children and families of Beslan, Russia has remained strong.

As such, Keystone Human Services is asking for continued community support for this humanitarian work. If you would like to respond to the horrors that took place in Beslan, this is an opportunity to take action in a meaningful and personal way. All donations collected will be managed carefully and used to help defray the costs of sustaining local Russian professionals and the victims they support.

If you are able to help the children and families of Beslan, please make a secure online donation. All donations are fully audited and will be carefully managed through the Keystone Partnership. Further information is available by calling KHS at (717) 232-7509 and asking for Ann Moffitt at extension 133.