Addressing the needs of children in developing countries or crisis situations is an immensely complex and multifaceted challenge. This page aims to serve as a gateway to critical resources, offering links to websites, books, journal articles, and other publications that provide deeper insights into emergency aid and relief efforts for children. Rather than attempting to be exhaustive, this resource highlights key areas of focus and directs readers to organizations and tools designed to assist in these efforts. Contributions and updates from the Aid Workers Network (AWN) community are always welcomed!
On This Page:
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. Check the original publisher's current resource library or your organisation's approved child-protection materials before using a guide operationally.
Keeping Children Safe publishes the 2024 International Child Safeguarding Standards for organisations working with children. Read the International Child Safeguarding Standards (2024 PDF).
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 tracing services that use both technology and community networks to reconnect families. Use the current, authorised tracing and reunification service for the country and response.
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. Seek current guidance through a recognised child-protection coordination mechanism or the original publisher's resource library.
Save the Children
Save the Children is a global membership organisation working with children and communities on children’s rights, protection and development.
Visit the Save the Children website at www.savethechildren.net to explore its programmes, resources and ways to contribute to its work.
UNICEF
UNICEF works to protect children’s rights and meet their needs before, during and after emergencies, including through health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, and child protection work.
UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action set out its core policy and framework for humanitarian action. Read the Core Commitments for Children.
Get Involved
Would you like to contribute to this page? AidWorkers.com values careful updates, current resources and practical field insight. Visit the volunteering section to learn how to offer help.