We need to do better: Policy brief for enhancing laws and regulations to protect children in disasters

This policy brief, “We Need To Do Better”, seeks to improve knowledge of and evidence for strengthening child protection elements within laws and regulations related to disaster risk management. Specifically, this study calls on governments and disaster agencies to counter the lack of attention, systems and inadequate investment in child protection and to recognize the consequences of disasters -including those increasingly influenced by climate change- on girls and boys around the world.

Moving forward, it is essential to have domestic laws and regulations that enable children to live in safety. This approach moves from a focus on response to a much-needed emphasis on prevention. It underlines the responsibility of governments to ensure systems are in place and adequate funds are available. It also provides clarity as part of disaster preparedness on what is needed, who is responsible, and what measurements need to be applied to the protection of children.

In order to better meet children’s best interests in disasters and to enhance their protection from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, a series of actions can be taken (pp. 39-40):

1. Improve content of domestic laws for child protection;
2. Take a coordinated, multi-level and iterative approach to implementation of domestic laws involving child protection.