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Child protection is a special concern in emergencies as many of the defining features of a disaster – displacement, breakdown in family and social structures, erosion of traditional value systems, potential violence, weak governance, absence of accountability, and inaccessibility to basic social services – put children at risk of being injured, disabled or separated from their primary caregivers or being orphaned; for trafficking, physical and sexual abuse, and other forms of exploitation.
The threat of physical harm to children is compounded by the stress and trauma created by the emergency. Nearly all children and adolescents who have experienced catastrophic situations will initially display various symptoms of psychological distress, including intrusive flashbacks of the stress event, nightmares, withdrawal and an inability to concentrate. Child development professionals consider that the key element in promoting a child's recovery is building resilience as well as meeting basic needs.
To read more about supporting child protection and psychosocial recovery during emergencies, download the full chapter from the Behaviour Change in Emergencies Toolkit below.
