A National Children’s Consultation on Disaster Risk Reduction
Denise Robateau
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development partnered with UNICEF to host a national children’s consultation on disaster risk reduction. The event is part of a bigger initiative that is finding solutions to support children who may be adversely affected by traumatic experiences such as natural and manmade disasters. As a part of the ongoing work with municipalities, it is expected that a document will be drafted that seeks to establish an Integrated Protection of Children and Adolescents in Disaster Situations. Here’s more from UNICEF representative Denise Robateau.
Denise Robateau, Early Childhood Development Officer, UNICEF
“We have been working with these partners to support the rights of children and adolescence as it relates to emergency. We are supporting the development of a protocol to guide the actions and services particularly for children and adolescence, when there is a disaster or an emergency, and this includes either man-made or natural disasters. It is very important because at times and as adults, we focus only on the survival aspect but when we look on the needs of those most vulnerable such as the elderly and people with disabilities. We need to consider their safety in all the different sectors, not only safety for life, but for a life that is thriving, a life that is supported, a life that is healthy, even in times of emergencies.”
Reporter
“One of the things coming out of this is a protocol; can you talk a little more about what this document will detail?”
Denise Robateau
“When we talk about the protocol, we are talking about the integrated protection for children and adolescence in the time of a disaster. So, today we are consulting with children and adolescence. We have children from all over the country, through the participation of their child advisory bodies. So, our government partnered ministry of labour, local government and rural development has been supporting by bringing children from all over, along with the NCFC and with UNICEF and other partners. We are talking with children to get their input as to what this document looks like and as to whether this document can really address their own needs and concerns.”
