CHILD PROTECTION IN EMERGENCIES

WORKSHOP I: A PICTURE OF
CHILDREN
Instructions:
1. Discuss in the group the following:
• The problems of children in emergencies your area
• The services available
• The gaps in these services
2. Draw on the manila paper a child that will serve as a visual
representation of their description of the children in emergencies in
your area
3. Include a background of the situation of the child being presented
4. Plenary presentation
 GUIDE QUESTIONS:

•Who are the children in need of special protection during

emergencies in your area? What type or groups of children have you
encountered?
•What are the common issues and problems of these children?
(Vulnerabilities)
•What are the programs and services provided?
•What are the roles/functions of the “field caregivers” (teacher,
health workers, day care workers) in the psychosocial healing of
these children?
 EMERGENCY
. A situation that threatens the
lives and well-being of large
numbers of a population and
requires extraordinary action to
ensure their survival, care and
protection.
- When external aid is needed
 EFFECTS OF AN EMERGENCY ON THE
CHILD
• Individual level
• Exposure to danger and violence,
resulting in loss of life, abuse, etc.
• Routine disrupted, basic needs not
being met and development hindered
• Psychological distress or disturbances,
feeling of fears, anxiety
• Risk of recruitment/trafficking,
rejection and discrimination, and
separation
 EFFECTS OF DISASTERS
ON THE WHOLE CHILD
Physical Spiritual
Injury, hunger,
Faith-questioning God,
lead to sickness
concept of separation

Emotional Cognitive
Fear, Anxiety Lack of interest to go to school,
Unable to focus

Social
homeless, feeling alone, withrawn
 EFFECTS OF AN EMERGENCY ON THE
CHILD

• Family level
• Essential relationships disrupted due
to displacement, death and separation
from caregivers
• Heads of families may become
helpless, affecting the dynamics
within a family (e.g. domestic violence)
• Parents may not be able to provide
protection and appropriate guidance,
concentrating on survival
 EFFECTS OF AN EMERGENCY ON THE
CHILD

• Community level
• Facilities such as schools, day
care centers and health centers
not functional
• Competition for scarce resources
• Changes in community values and
traditions leading to social
tensions
 EFFECTS OF AN EMERGENCY ON THE
CHILD
• State Structures and Programs
• Resources diverted to respond to the
disaster
• Disruption of systems that deliver
services
• Service providers are victims
themselves
• Breakdown of law and order
CHILD PROTECTION IN
EMERGENCIES

. Child Protection in
Emergencies is the
prevention of and
response to abuse,
neglect,
exploitation of and
violence against
children in
emergencies.
CHILD PROTECTION CONCERNS
•Physical violence and
Emergencies abuse
worsen •Sexual and gender-
based
existing child violence/trafficking
protection •Exploitation and abuse
concerns and •HIV/AIDS
create new •Rejection and
discrimination
ones. •Psychosocial distress
•Family separation
•Recruitment into armed
forces and armed groups
CHILDREN IN MOST NEED OF
PROTECTION
• Unaccompanied and separated
• Vulnerable before emergency
• Survivors of sexual violence
• Displaced
• Out-of-school
• At risk of or already recruited by armed
forces or armed group
THE PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENT
FRAMEWORK
.
WHAT IS A CHILD PROTECTION
SYSTEM?

A child protection system is a

series of components (e.g. laws,
policies, regulations, services)
organised around the goal of
preventing and responding to
child protection risks
WHAT IS A CHILD PROTECTION
SYSTEM?
RA 7610 •Reporting system
RA 9775 •Multi-disciplinary
RA 9208/10364 case management &
RA 9344/10360 referral system
RA 8353/8505 •Local governments
RA 9262
•National line
RA 9710
agencies
•Councils and
RA 10821
Committees
 CHILD PROTECTION IN
EMERGENCIES
.Child Protection Concern Response
• Unaccompanied & •Rapid Family
separated Tracing and
Reunification and
case management
•Psychosocial
• Psychosocial Distress support
(psychosocial first
aid, CFS)

• Vulnerability to child •Prevention and

ensuring a functional
abuse and exploitation
referral system
 CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES
• . Safe and secure environment
• Provide stimulating and supportive
environment
• Are built upon existing structures and
capacities
• Use participatory approach to design and
implementation
• Provide integrated programs and
services
• Are inclusive and non-discriminatory
ENSURIN
. G THAT
CHILDRE
N ARE
PROTEC
TED
DURING
EMERGE
NCIES
Thank you!