Children

Protection in
Emergencies
Mr. Arwin Rocas Trinidad, RSW
WHAT IS CHILD PROTECTION
IN EMERGENCIES?
Child protection in emergencies (CPiE) refers to all
efforts to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect,
exploitation, and violence against children in the
aftermath of a disaster.

CPiE prioritizes the fulfilment of certain rights for

children in emergencies, namely those that protect
children against maltreatment and ensures their
survival and wellbeing.
 PRINCIPLES
GUIDING THE
WORK FOR THE
PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN IN
EMERGENCIES
PRINCIPLE 1
Avoid exposing people to further
harm as a result of your actions
It stipulates that, those involved
in humanitarian responses must
do all they can to avoid
exposing people affected by
disaster, particularly children,
to further harm during the
provision of relief and
assistance.
PRINCIPLE 2
Ensure people’s access to
impartial assistance
This principle ensures that we
assist everyone equally,
regardless of preferences.
PRINCIPLE 3
Protect people from physical and
psychological harm arising from
violence and coercion
Children must be protected
from “violence, being forced or
induced to act against their
will,” and from fear of such
abuse.
PRINCIPLE 4
Assist people to claim their
rights, access available remedies
and recover from the effects of
abuse
This principle reminds us that
children are rights-holders, and
that we have the obligation of
assisting them and their
caretakers to claim their rights.
PRINCIPLE 5
Strengthen child protection In humanitarian settings, the child
protection system may have become
systems weakened or ineffective, however
the emergency phase may provide
an opportunity to develop and
strengthen national child protection
systems, including community-
based mechanisms of protection.
PRINCIPLE 6
Strengthen children’s resilience
in humanitarian action
This principle is based on the
notion that all children have
internal strengths and capacities
that should be harnessed and
encouraged.
PRINCIPLE 7
Neutrality
This is applicable especially in
armed conflict situations, it is a
commitment not to take sides in
hostilities or in controversies
based on political, racial,
religious, or ideological
identity.
PRINCIPLE 8
Accountability

Humanitarian agencies should

hold themselves accountable to
affected populations, national
partners, and donors.
PRINCIPLE 9
Participation of affected
populations
As one of the most important
principles, it urges us to build
on existing capacities and
promote participation.
PRINCIPLE 10
Respect for culture and custom

Responses should be grounded

on a thorough understanding of
the traditional and cultural
dynamics.
 STANDARDS GUIDING THE
WORK FOR THE PROTECTION
OF CHILDREN IN
EMERGENCIES
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child 01 COORDINATION
protection and
humanitarian areas.
Coordination allows everyone involved in child
protection to agree on a shared set of objectives
and division of labor.

HUMAN
02
RESOURCE

Child protection services are delivered by staff

with proven competence in their areas of work.
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child
protection and
humanitarian areas.
COM MU NICATIO N,
03 AD VO CACY AND MEDIA
Child protection issues are communicated and
advocated for with respect for girls’ and boys’
dignity, best interests and safety.

PROGRAMME CYCLE
04 MANAGEMENT

All child protection programmes build on existing capacities,

resources and structures and address the evolving child protection
risks and needs identified by girls, boys and adults affected by the
emergency.
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child 05
protection and
humanitarian areas.
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
Up-to-date information necessary for effective
child protection programming is collected, used,
stored and shared, with full respect for
confidentiality.

CHILD PROTECTION
06 MONITORING

Systematic monitoring of child protection

concerns should be carried out from the first
stages of an emergency.
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child 07
protection and
humanitarian areas.
DANGERS AND
INJURIES
Girls and boys are protected from harm, injury and disability
caused by physical dangers in their environment and the physical
and psychosocial needs of injured children are responded to in a
timely and efficient way.

PHYSICAL VIOL ENCE

08 AND OTHER HARMFUL
PRACT ICE S

Girls and boys are protected from physical violence and

other harmful practices, and survivors have access to age-
specific and culturally appropriate responses.
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child 09
protection and
humanitarian areas.
SEXUAL
VIOLENCE
Girls and boys are protected from sexual violence and
survivors of sexual violence have access to age-appropriate
information as well as a safe, responsive and holistic
response.

PSYCHOSOCIAL
10 DISTRESS AND MENTAL
DISORDE RS

Girls’ and boys’ coping mechanisms and resilience are

strengthened and severely affected children are
receiving appropriate support.
The CPMS identify 26 CHILDREN ASSOCIATED
standards in core child 11 WITH ARMED FORCES OR
protection and ARMED GROUPS

humanitarian areas. Girls and boys are protected from recruitment and use in
hostilities by armed forces or armed groups, and are released
and provided with effective reintegration services.

12 CHILD LABOUR

Girls and boys are protected from the worst forms of

child labour, in particular those related to or made
worse by the emergency.
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child 13
protection and
humanitarian areas.
UNACCOMPANIED AND
SEPARATED CHILDREN
Family separation is prevented and responded to, and
unaccompanied and separated children are cared for and
protected according to their specific needs and their best
interests.

JUSTICE FOR
14
CHILDREN

All girls and boys who come into contact with the
justice systems as victims, witnesses or alleged
offenders are treated in line with international
standards.
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child 15 CASE MANAGEMENT
protection and
humanitarian areas.
Case management is the process of helping
individual children and families through social
services.

COM M UNITY-BASED
16 M ECHANISMS

Girls and boys are protected from abuse, violence,

exploitation, and neglect through community-
based mechanisms and processes.
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child 17
protection and
humanitarian areas.
CHILD-FRIENDLY
SPACES
All children and young people can go to community-supported
child-friendly spaces that provide structured activities that are
carried out in a safe, child-friendly, inclusive and stimulating
environment.

PROTECTING
18 EXCLUDED CHILDREN

All girls and boys in humanitarian settings have access

to basic services and protection, and the causes and
means of exclusion are identified and addressed.
The CPMS identify 26
E CONOM IC RE COVE RY
standards in core child 19 AND CHIL D PROT E CT I ON
protection and
humanitarian areas.
Child protection concerns are reflected in the
assessment, design, monitoring, and evaluation of
economic recovery programmes.

EDUCATION AND
20 CHILD PROTECTION

Child protection concerns are reflected in the

assessment, design, monitoring and evaluation of
education programmes.
The CPMS identify 26
standards in core child 21
protection and
humanitarian areas.
HEALTH AND CHILD
PROTECTION
Girls and boys have access to quality health services
delivered in a protective way that takes into account
their age and developmental needs.

NUTRITION AND CHILD

22 PROTECTION

Girls and boys of all ages and their caregivers, especially

pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls, have access to
safe, adequate and appropriate nutrition services and food.
The CPMS identify 26 WATER , SA N ITATIO N A N D
standards in core child 23 H Y G IEN E (WA SH ) A N D C H ILD
PR O TEC TIO N
protection and
humanitarian areas.
All girls and boys have access to appropriate
WASH services that minimize the risks of physical
and sexual violence.

SHELTER AND CHILD

24 PROTECTION

All girls and boys and their caregivers have appropriate

shelter provided that meets basic needs, including protection
and disability access, and which facilitate longer-term
solutions.
The CPMS identify 26
CAMP MANAGEMENT AND
standards in core child 25 CHILD PROTECTION
protection and
humanitarian areas.
The safety and wellbeing of girls and boys of all
ages living in camps is safeguarded through camp
management structures.

DISTRIBUTION AND
26 CHILD PROTECTION

Children access humanitarian assistance through efficient

and well-planned distribution systems that safeguard girls
and boys from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect.
 1
PART
C H IL D PR O T E C T IO N R ISK S
 RISKS
1 U N IN T EN TIO N A L IN JU R IE S
In n a tu r a l d is a s te rs , c h ild re n c a n e x p e rie n c e d ro w n in g , fa llin g , a n d
se v e r e b u r n s . I f n o t tre a te d p ro m p tly, in ju rie s c a n le a d to p e rm a n e n t
d isa b ili ty a n d s o m e tim e s d e a th .

2 D ISPL A C E ME N T
Di sp l a c e m e nt i s one of t he m ost c om m on c onse que nc e s of
e m e rge nc i e s. Fa m i l i e s oft e n fi nd t he m se l ve s ha vi ng t o l e a ve t he i r
hom e s a nd re l oc a t e t o sa fe r pl a c e s t o a voi d da nge r.

3 FA MILY SE PA R AT IO N
In e m e rg e n c i e s , m a n y c h ild re n a re in v o lu n ta rily se p a ra te d fro m th e ir
fa m il ie s , a n d it b e c o m e s o n e o f th e m o st d istre ssin g e v e n ts in a c h ild ’s
life .
 RISKS
4 PH Y SIC A L A B U SE A N D V IO LE N C E
Eme rg e n cies ar e a time when ch ildr en become v ery su sce p tib le to
phy sic al a b u se a n d v io lence.

5 SE X U A L A B U SE A N D V IO LE N C E
L a c k of se c ur i t y a nd t he c ha os t ha t e nsue s a di sa st e r i nc re a se s t he ri sk
of se x ua l a b use a nd vi ol e nc e a ga i nst c hi l dre n.

6 E MO TIO N A L A N D PSY C H O SO C IA L D ISTR E SS

Em e rg e n c ie s p o s e a tre m e n d o u s th re a t to a c h ild ’s m e n ta l h e a lth a n d
w e llb e i n g . Witn e s s in g d e stru c tio n , le a v in g h o m e , s e p a ra tin g fro m
fa m il y, a n d lo s in g a p a re n t o r a lo v e d o n e c a n tra u m a tiz e a c h ild .
 RISKS
7 G E N D E R -B A SE D V IO L E N C E
Gen der-based violence ( GBV) is very co mmon place in emergen cies. I t ref ers to
acts that are systematic an d har mf ul ag ainst a woman, a g ir l, o r a ch il d or ad ult
per son because of their g ender.

8 C H ILD L A B O U R
E m e rge nc i e s a re a pe ri od whe n c hi l dre n be c om e e spe c i a l l y vul ne ra bl e
t o t he worst f or m s of c hi l d l a bour (W FCL ).
 2
PART
PR E PA R E D N E SS
 PREPAREDNESS

9 C O O R D IN AT IO N
C h ild p ro te c t io n is a m u lti se c to ra l a re a o f w o rk , in v o lv in g v a rio u s
a c to r s f ro m s o c ia l s e rv ic e s, ju stic e , la w e n fo rc e m e n t, h e a lth , a n d
e d u c a tio n s e c t o r s a m o n g o th e rs.

10 C O MMU N IC AT IO N A N D B U IL D IN G AWA R EN ESS

Awa re ne ss bui l di n g i s a ke y c om pone nt of pre ve nt i ng vi ol a t i ons a nd
pr ot e c t i ng c h i l dre n from ha rm i n e m e rge nc i e s.

11 C H ILD PR O T EC T IO N MO N ITO R IN G
C h ild p ro te c t io n m o n ito rin g is a c ritic a l s te p to d e sig n in g a n d
im p le m e n tin g a s u c c e ssfu l e m e rg e n c y re s p o n s e .
 PREPAREDNESS

12 E N G A G IN G C H ILD R EN IN PR E PA R E D N E SS
It i s very i m port ant t o engage chi l dren i n di sast er preparedness and
response. Educat e chi l dren on em ergenci es, t el l t hem how a disaster can
affect t hem , and how t hey can prot ect t hem sel ves.

13 STA FFIN G A N D H U MA N R ESO U R C E S

C Pi E st a ff m ust posse ss a uni que se t of ski l l s a nd c om pe t e nc i e s; t he y
m ust h a v e a st r ong ba c kground i n c hi l d prot e c t i on a s we l l a s
hum a ni t a r i a n a i d work.

14 IN FO R MATIO N MA N A G EME N T
Th e q u a li ty w ith w h ic h w e g a th e r, sh a re a n d a n a ly s e in fo rm a tio n c o u ld
d e te r m i n e t h e s a f e ty o r d a n g e r o f a c h ild .
 3
PART
R E SPON SE
 RESPONSE

15 R A PID A SSESSME N T
C h ild p ro te c t io n r a p id a sse ss m e n t (CPRA ) is th e p ro c e ss o f g a th e rin g
a n d a n a ly s in g in fo rm a tio n a b o u t th e p ro te c tio n n e e d s o f c h ild re n in th e
a fte rm a th o f a d is a s te r.

16 SH E LTE R S A N D E ME R G EN C Y C E N T R E S
On e o f t he pr i ori t i e s i n a ny e m e rge nc y i s t o e nsure t ha t fa m i l i e s ha ve a
sa fe pl a c e t o re sort t o.

17 D IST R IB U T IO N A N D R EL IE F ITE MS
D is tr ib u t io n o f r e l ie f ite m s is o n e o f th e m o s t im p o rta n t a n d u rg e n t
a c tiv i tie s in a n e m e rg e n c y. D e te rm in in g n e e d s is th e first ste p in
d istr ib u tio n , it is t ra d itio n a lly d o n e th ro u g h a n e e d s a s se ssm e n t.
 RESPONSE

18 ME N TA L H E A LTH A N D PSY C H O SO C IA L SU PPO RT

Psy c h o s o c ia l s u p p o rt (PSS) in e m e rg e n c ie s is o f th e u tm o s t im p o rta n c e
a n d s h o u ld b e c a r r ie d o u t im m e d ia te ly a fte r a d isa ste r strik e s.

19 C H ILD -FR IEN D LY SPA C E S

C hi l d- Fr i e ndl y Spa c e s (CFSs) a re wi de l y use d i n e m e rge nc i e s a s a fi rst
re spo nse t o c h i l dre n’s ne e ds a nd a fi rst st e p i n provi di ng support t o t he
a ffe c t e d c om m uni t i e s.

20 JU ST IC E FO R C H ILD R EN
C h ild p ro te c t io n s e e k s to e n su re th a t a ll th e a b o v e a c to rs, a n d th e ir sta ff,
p o lic ie s a n d p r o c e d u re s, o p e ra te in a w a y th a t sa fe g u a rd s a n d p ro m o te s th e
b e st in te r e s ts o f t h e c h ild .
 RESPONSE

21 MA IN ST R EA MIN G C H ILD PR O T EC T IO N IN O T H E R SEC TO R S

Ma in s tr e a m in g o r in te g ra tin g c h ild p ro te c tio n in o th e r a re a s re fe rs to
in c o rp o r a t in g c h il d p ro te c tio n p rio ritie s in to o th e r se c to rs’ p ro g ra m m in g
a n d o p e r a tio n s .

22 MO N ITO R IN G A N D E VA LU AT IO N
It i s a p roc e ss t hro ugh whi c h we e xa m i ne our progra m m e e ffort s a nd
a sse ss t h e e xt e nt t o whi c h t he y a re re l e va nt , e ffi c i e nt , a nd e ffe c t i ve .
 4
PART
E A R LY R E C OV E RY
 EARLY RECOVERY

23 C H ILD PR O T EC T IO N A N D EA RLY R E C O V E RY
Ea rly r e c o v e r y r e fe rs to sh iftin g fro m th e p ro v isio n o f s h o rt-te rm
a ssis ta n c e t o f o c u s in g o n lo n g -te rm su sta in a b le s o lu tio n s .

Th e e a r ly r e c o v e r y a p p ro a c h is a m o d e l w h ic h e n c o u ra g e s u s to b a la n c e
o u r r e s p o n s e to i m m e d ia te n e e d s a n d e ffo rts to re b u ild th e s y ste m a n d
in c re a s e i ts a b ili ty to c o p e w ith fu tu re d is a s te rs .
THANK
YOU