Creating Safe Spaces for Every Child

PORT MORESBY, 13 October 2025 – As climate related emergencies increase in Papua New Guinea, a recently launched Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) Toolkit is set to help communities respond quickly and care for children, who often are the hardest hit in times of crisis.

Developed by UNICEF, the National Office for Child and Family Services (NOCFS), and partners, the CFS Toolkit is the country’s first single, nationally endorsed guide that offers practical community-based guidance to help children feel safe, recover from trauma, and regain a sense of normalcy.

Child Friendly Spaces are safe spaces for children who are displaced, separated, or affected by violence, abuse or disasters. They offer structured play, learning and psychosocial support, and link children directly to social services and protection systems.

“When a child’s world is shaken by violence, disaster or loss, it’s their sense of safety and trust that disappears first. A child-friendly space helps rebuild that,” said Bernadette Haro, Child Protection Consultant with UNICEF. “Children start to laugh again, play, draw, sing and share stories. Most of all, they begin to heal.”

Launched on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, the toolkit promotes preparedness, coordination, and resilience, not only in emergencies, but in all contexts.

“This toolkit was prepared for the children of Papua New Guinea – this is our document,” said Paula Vargas, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Papua New Guinea. “So many children live in violence or fear. Child Friendly Spaces give children the chance to heal, play and feel safe.”

Echoing Ms. Vargas’ remarks, Mr. Jerry Wap, Acting Director for the National Office of Child and Family Services, said the CFS model was simple but powerful.

“These spaces create safe, nurturing and welcoming environments where children can simply be children,” he said. “They are vital entry points for children who may have nowhere else to turn, providing emotional and psychological relief through guided play and storytelling. Children express their pain through play, and this toolkit empowers facilitators to listen and respond with care. Beyond emotional support, the Child Friendly Space is crucially for referral systems – they connect vulnerable children to essential services, legal aid, medical care and counselling.”

This toolkit provides practical, step-by-step guidance for community leaders, churches and schools, anchoring protection within trusted community leaders.

“I call on all stakeholders – government agencies, NGOs, FBOs and community leaders – to embrace this tool and integrate it into your existing community programs,” said Mr. Wap. “Make it a standard for child protection and engagement. Our goal is to see CFS everywhere – in every province, every district, and eventually every community - ensuring that no child is ever out of reach of care and protection.”

The toolkit will be piloted in selected areas before scaling up and integrating nationally at the start of 2026.