Children, unlike adults, are affected differently by disputes and emergencies; however, they may be able to help the community recover quickly and permanently. Children are particularly vulnerable during crises, and they bear the brunt of disasters as a result of their vulnerability. As a result, these children are at risk of being displaced, separated, and discriminated against, forced labour, sexual and economic abuse, trafficking, and conflicts. To ensure their safety, child security measures must be implemented as soon as an emergency arises. Professionals working with children have a responsibility to avoid violence and harassment and to provide children with access to protective services through government and community programs in order to do this.
During natural and man-made disasters, war, or other crises, child safety in emergencies is about preventing and reacting to crime, harassment, exploitation, and neglect of children. Even after the initial crisis has ended, emergency situations will persist. They need innovative and long-term strategies to provide short- and long-term security to children living in disaster and conflict zones. In an emergency, child protection is provided in a number of settings, ranging from the immediate vicinity of the crisis to internally displaced persons and refugee camps.
Kids, youth, their families, and societies face considerable psychological and social stress as a result of the disturbance, displacement, and abuse associated with emergencies. Children and families respond to conflicts and disasters in a variety of ways, but with the right help, the majority will be able to resolve these challenging situations. As homes are restored, social services are re-established, and livelihoods are re-established, it is critical that social and psychological problems are not overlooked. Early psychosocial approaches are now generally recognized as an essential component of humanitarian assistance.
Ensure that girls and boys are protected where they work, study, and play during the first step of an emergency; Strengthening the capacity of children to engage in their own protection; Providing child-friendly access to asylum, refugee, and other legal processes, as well as important documentation, to girls and boys, and ensuring that girls and boys with special needs obtain tailored assistance.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, whose core principles include: the child’s survival and growth, best interests of the child, non-discrimination, and children’s participation; Sphere, Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, and its core principles and standards for child protection work; and Sphere, Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, and its core principles and standards for child protection work. Child security must be fully integrated, as well as the Interagency Guiding Principles on Unaccompanied and Separated Children.
The focus of this ‘seasoned’ training on child protection in emergencies is on how children can be covered in an emergency setting in addition to receiving the usual humanitarian package of food, water, shelter, medications, and sanitation. Children need psychosocial support in addition to their physical needs. Registration for this training can be completed by filling these forms (Registration and Pre Training Assessment Forms) or sending an email to the Seasoned’ training coordinator by writing to training@seasonedsolutions.co.ke. We are always open to contributing to this dialogue and as such we are continuously seeking partners to aid in this endeavor. You can write to us using info@seasonedsolutions.co.ke to kick-start this conversation.
