Promoting a Protective Environment for Children Affected by Disaster and War

Abstract

(from the chapter) Creating a protective environment is the basis of the United Nations' strategy for protecting the human rights of children faced with the extreme environmental threats posed by disasters and war. The "Protective Environment Framework" was developed as a basis to identify the key areas, where actions can be taken to increase the protection available to children. This paper addresses the following paradox: how can humanitarian actors ensure rapid responses to discrete groups of vulnerable children in emergencies—and at the same time—leverage commitments, capacities, and actions required to strengthen a protective environment for all children in the long run? It argues that it is not only possible to do so, but embracing this paradox is also what distinguishes stellar child protection responses from merely adequate ones. The Protective Environment Framework is presented as a platform capable of bringing greater coherence to activities that strengthen child protection in wars, natural disasters, and refugee movements. Areas of the framework that need to be adapted—or, at least, flexibly applied—to systemically address child protection concerns in different types of emergencies are discussed. Key areas of focus for each of the eight framework elements are identified, and checklists of indicators to be considered in emergency assessment and planning efforts are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (chapter)