What is Child Protection in Emergencies?

Child protection in emergencies is about preventing and responding to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect of children during times of emergency caused by natural and man-made disasters, conflict or other crises. Emergency situations can carry on long after the initial crisis has passed. They require effective and sustainable solutions to provide both short and long-term protection to children living in the wake of disaster and conflict. The delivery of child protection in emergencies occurs in a wide variety of locations from the immediate locality of the crisis to internally displaced people and refugee facilities.

This leaflet introduces the most common risks associated with child protection in emergencies: danger and injury, physical violence and other harmful practices, sexual violence, unaccompanied and separated children, psychosocial distress, association with armed forces or armed groups, child labour, and children and the justice system.