Transcript Children and Disasters
Children and Emergencies
March 18, 2010
Resilient & Ready Communities
Save the Children
Domestic Emergencies Unit
Goal: Reduce Risks for Children
• Advocacy & Policy Change
– Chair the National Commission on Children and Disasters – FEMA’s National Advisory Council – National and State VOAD Member
• Preparedness, Response and Recovery Programming
Save the Children
Domestic Emergencies Unit
Resilient & Ready Communities Initiative
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Addressing Children’s Needs in Emergency Operation Plans
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Briefing Emergency Relief Organizations and Officials Coordinating county-specific Children and Emergencies Working Groups Developing community capacity : Temporary Respite Care Providing Disaster Risk Reduction Programs
• Resource:
– “Children in Emergencies Planning Guide” to assist local and state emergency planners
Children’s Unique Needs in Emergencies
Children are not “little adults.” They have
unique needs
that must be addressed to ensure their safety and well-being:
Physical protection Psychosocial protection
Cognitive protection
National Progress for Children
National Commission on Children and Disasters
• Authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 • The Commission is tasked with: – Conducting comprehensive study examining children’s needs – Reviewing / evaluating existing laws, regulations, policies, programs – Reviewing, and evaluating the lessons learned from past disasters – Reporting to the President & Congress on its findings & recommendations • Appendix C: “Supplies for Infants and Toddlers in Mass Care Shelters and Emergency Congregate Care Facilities” (NCCD Interim Report) – Essential Items to support children’s safety and well-being
National Progress for Children FEMA and Administrator Fugate’s Commitment:
•
Children’s Working Group
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DHS 2010 HSPG Supplemental Resource: Children in Disasters Guidance
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No Unfunded Mandates
National Progress for Children National Standards & Indicators for Mass Care
• Standards and Indicators for Disaster Shelter Care for Children (ARC) – Temporary Respite Care for Children • Shelter Guidance (STC) – Low Cost and No Cost Guidance to mitigate risks • Counting Children • Family dormitory areas • Private breastfeeding area for women
Suggested Child-Focused Checklist
Emergency Planning and Training
Include needs of children across emergency training and exercises
Designate individual as children’s needs coordinator
Provide staff with briefings on children’s unique needs and how they can protect and support children in their role
Suggested Child-Focused Checklist
Evacuation
Include child-tracking and family-reunification procedures in emergency plan
Mass Care
Provide safe shelter environments for children and families, including access to essential, age-appropriate supplies Includes
Physical and Mental Health
Capability of hospital Emergency Departments to provide effective care for children
Basic psychological first aid training for emergency personnel to assist children
Suggested Child-Focused Checklist
Disaster plans for child care facilities
Evacuation, reunification, children with disabilities or special medical needs training and drills Plans on file with state and local emergency management and licensing offices Plan for establishing emergency child care
Long-term disaster recovery plan for children and families
Includes family-appropriate housing, schools, child care, mental health, medical care, child welfare, juvenile justice and court facilities
How can you address children’s needs in emergencies?
• • • •
Make it a priority in emergency planning/response to meet the needs of children.
your organization to improve Review guiding documents Participate in your upcoming, county-specific Children and Emergencies Working Groups .
Contact me to set up trainings for your organization’s personnel and volunteers in
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Temporary Respite Care
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Briefing on children and emergencies
Questions? Comments?
Gabriel Martin Nehrbass
Program Specialist Resilient & Ready Communities Domestic Emergencies Unit Cell: 228.342.5180