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Summary: Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child res.10/14
Statement delivered by World Vision International, on behalf of the International Council of Women, ECPAT International, the International Catholic Child Bureau, Plan International and SOS Children’s Villages International.Mr President,
It has been nearly two months since the earthquake in Haiti and the repercussions continue to be felt throughout the country, particularly for the thousands of affected children. The earthquake has left more children orphaned or unaccompanied than any other disaster of recent times, and it is critical that these and all children in the aftermath of natural disasters are protected from the further trauma of being neglected, abused, exploited or trafficked.
The recent UNICEF Humanitarian Action Report of 2010 highlights an alarming, global rise in child sex abuse, abductions and violence in countries recovering from natural disaster. The Asian tsunami and the earthquakes in Pakistan and China of recent years highlighted the necessity for greater attention to be paid to the protection of children in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Children are especially vulnerable during the initial phase of a natural disaster when existing insecurities and instabilities are exposed and new pressures are created. Living situations change, tensions rise as a result of the difficulty of meeting daily needs such as food, water, and shelter, and disruptions in health and law enforcement services can increase the possibility of violence. Children are at a heightened risk of being separated from their families or support systems and subjected to violence and abuse, particularly those with disabilities. Children are more vulnerable to being forced or drawn into prostitution or being trafficked as the ramifications of poverty are exacerbated and the feelings of despair and powerlessness endure.
As the aftermath of a disaster moves into the secondary phases, long periods of reconstruction may leave many displaced persons in camps for extended periods of time. If adequate protection measures are not put in place and monitored, the vulnerability to exploitation and sexual and gender-based violence remains high. Within 3 months of the Asian tsunami, an alarming number of marriages were reported between widowed fishermen and young women, many of whom may have still been children, and who had lost family in coastal areas.
We make the following recommendations:
That State protection measures are put in place to monitor the protection of children, report abuse, and hold perpetrators accountable.
That all child protection measures are established in consultation with children and young people, particularly those who have been affected by sexual violence.
That disaster risk reduction strategies, particularly protection measures such as child-friendly spaces are developed and can be provided as a front-line response following the onset of a natural disaster
That Governments, UN and civil society raise awareness about the particular vulnerabilities of children to sexual violence in time of natural disaster - both before and after a disaster occurs.
That Government Ministries responsible for disaster-preparedness programmes include child-focused measures to identify gaps in protection systems.
Thank you Mr. President