Psychosocial Support for Protection of Children in Disasters

Abstract

Disaster has various disabling effects on society. Many complexities that arise as a result of disaster spell even worse experience for the survivors. Disaster topples the established equilibrium and throws existential challenges to the survivors. Humanitarian supports provided to the survivors are on multiple fronts and rehabilitation turns out to be a long-drawn process. Those hardest hit by disaster are especially children and adolescents who, for that matter, need particular care, support and protection to maintain well-being. The impact of natural, human-made, chemical, biological disasters or complex emergencies is quite disabling that cripple the growth opportunities. With the loss of their nurturing environment, many become orphans, sustain injuries, become disabled, face abuses during disaster and in the post-disaster phase that blow the sense of well-being. There are various national and international guidelines, declarations and the Sustainable Development Goals to address the issues of child protection during disasters and in general. The chapter elaborated the different dimensions of psychosocial support that are crucial for facilitating protection and well-being. Therefore, developing a culture of safety, empowering the children with life skills, facilitating resilience building, educating about sustainable development, and peace education are essential to deal with the emerging challenges of the twenty-first century. Child protection is also crucial to reduce the human rights vulnerabilities emerging from poverty, economic crisis, political instability, and climatic conditions. The chapter referred to various psychosocial rehabilitation projects that highlighted the importance of psychosocial support in facilitating recovery, and empowering the children and adolescent to deal with disasters and emergencies.