Help The Children - Resources for Emergency Aid

On This Page:

• Child Protection in Emergencies
• Family Tracing and Reunification
• Guidelines on Child Soldiers
• Save the Children
• UNICEF

Child Protection in Emergencies

Child protection in emergencies is a cornerstone of humanitarian work, addressing the safety and welfare of children caught in crises such as wars, natural disasters, and pandemics.

Save the Children's comprehensive guide, "Child Protection in Emergencies", explores the legal frameworks, principles, and realities of safeguarding children in such situations. This guide is essential reading for aid managers and practitioners, offering both a sobering account of challenges and practical tools to enhance protection efforts. Read it here or download it directly.

Additionally, "Child Protection - The Role of HR", published by People In Aid, provides actionable advice for HR managers on fostering a "child-safe" agency. This invaluable resource outlines policies and practices for preventing abuse and ensuring accountability within organizations. Find it at www.peopleinaid.org.uk under the Publications section.

Family Tracing and Reunification

In emergencies, children often become separated from their families due to the chaos of displacement, conflict, or natural disasters. Reuniting families is a priority in humanitarian response, as it ensures children’s emotional well-being and safeguards them from exploitation.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Save the Children are leaders in this field, operating sophisticated tracing services that use both technology and community networks to reconnect families. Learn more through the Tracing Advice Pages, which provide guidance on accessing and utilizing these services.

Guidelines on Child Soldiers

The recruitment and use of child soldiers is a grave violation of children’s rights. Save the Children’s publication, "Children - Not Soldiers" by Isobel McConnan and Sarah Uppard, offers practical guidelines for those working to support and reintegrate former child soldiers into their communities. It also serves as a primer for senior staff unfamiliar with the complexities of the issue. Access the guide here for in-depth information and actionable recommendations.

Save the Children

Save the Children is a globally recognized leader in children’s rights, protection, and development. With member organizations in 27 countries, it operates as a powerful force in relief and development initiatives.

Visit the International Save the Children Alliance website at www.savethechildren.net/alliance to explore their programs, resources, and ways to contribute to their mission.

UNICEF

As the UN agency dedicated to children’s welfare, UNICEF focuses on protecting children’s rights and meeting their basic needs, particularly during emergencies. Its strategic priorities include child protection, education for girls, immunization programs, combating HIV/AIDS, and ensuring early childhood development.

UNICEF provides a wealth of resources, including its Emergency Field Handbook, which serves as a practical guide for aid workers in the field. Explore these and other publications at www.unicef.org/publications.

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