BESLAN, Russia — The bodies of three of Taimuraz Totiev’s children, Albina, Larisa and Boris Totiev were finally identified and buried Oct. 3. Of his five children, only his daughter, Madina is alive after the recent school bombing and killing of many students in the Beslan school. Sergey Totiev’s daughter, Dzerassa, is still missing.
Initially, the Russian Baptist Union and its partners provided support and counseling through pastors and other church leaders.
Baptist World Aid (BWAid) director Paul Montacute recently met with Peter Mitskevich and Yevgeniy Zhigulin of Mission Vera. Both have been actively involved in caring for families since the beginning of the crisis.
It is now recognized that support and counseling will be needed for many months and years ahead. The Baptist church in Beslan plans to develop its work with children, especially those traumatized by the school tragedy.
BWAid is continuing to receive funds to assist with this tragic event. Funds are needed to meet the costs of the caregivers. BWAid has also pledged to support the cost of a coordinator to plan the response.
There are many physical needs to be met, and plans have been made to ensure those children who survived will have an easier winter and a happy Christmas. Psychological help is also offered.
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