Specific vulnerabilities of children

Children are especially vulnerable in disasters. As a minimum impact, a disaster is likely to be severely disruptive to their everyday lives; interrupting education and family life and removing familiar community references. Other children may lose care providers, have to live in temporary housing for protracted lengths of time and have no finances. For all children, their vulnerability is increased after a disaster and to survive, they may be drawn into exploitative practices such as prostitution or gangs.

Cultural Factors: Livelihoods, Age-related roles, Socio-economic status, Social exclusion

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Response, Recovery

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Consider vulnerable groups when designing and implementing disaster response measures