Disasters and Emergencies

Supporting Information

In crisis or emergency situations, it is the duty of the government, the authorities in charge or the United Nations (in the absence of a government) to ensure that children are not separated from their parents or caregivers.

If separation occurs, it is the responsibility of the government and the authorities in charge to provide special protection and care for the child. The government and the authorities are also responsible for attempting to trace the child's family and for reuniting the child with his or her family.

In emergency situations, interim care must be provided for children who have become separated from their families. Where possible this interim care should be provided by families from the child's community until the child is reunited with relatives or placed with a foster family.

Children who have become separated from their parents in an emergency situation cannot be assumed to be orphans and are not available for adoption. As long as the fate of a child's parents and/or other close relatives cannot be determined, each separated child must be considered as still potentially having close relatives who are alive. If the parents or relatives cannot be traced, it is best for the child to be adopted by a family of the same origin. Only if that is not possible should adoption by a family from another culture or country be considered.

A move to a new home or country is stressful, especially if the family has fled violence. Refugee children sometimes face the additional burden of having to learn a new language and culture.