Why children must be our number one priority in emergencies

Since 2007, ChildFund Alliance and Plan International have been founding members of a global taskforce to advance the way we consider children in emergencies.

This week, two major meetings will take place in Geneva. We will be at the table advocating for the children who will benefit from future Australian Aid responses.

Communities all over the world show amazing resilience when disasters strike. People everywhere spring into action to address the damage done by events like cyclones, earthquakes or armed conflict. It makes perfect sense to address the most dramatic and visible elements of a disaster – like restoring shelter, providing food and ensuring urgent medical care to survivors. But we need also to remember that emergencies can have less visible effects on people, especially children.

Children love routines. They feel the most comfortable when things stay stable and safe. They know what they should be doing and where they should be at different times of the day (brushing my teeth, playing during recess). They like to know where their families are and that they can be with them quickly if needed. Disasters disrupt these routines and make children anxious.

After a disaster, trusted community features like schools can be closed or destroyed, and even the regularity of parents` presence will change as they must work hard to restore their lives, income and homes. Many of the other regular ways that we look after children are also affected. With adults preoccupied with safety, food and income, there can be fewer eyes to monitor children already at increased physical risks from the damaged physical environment.

Unfortunately, these can also be times that people wishing to harm children can take advantage. Children can suffer abuse and violence or be vulnerable to sexual exploitation or unsafe labour. Authorities, police and justice institutions will be busy restoring order, so preventative measures are a low priority. Responses from social welfare systems that are under immense strain can similarly be challenged.