Programs: Child-Focused Development: Emergency

Emergencies 

Read Up-To-Date Information on Natural Disasters occuring in CCF Program Areas »

Impact of War on Children

Children typically comprise half or more of a population affected by an emergency. Internationally defined as persons under 18 years of age, children can be deeply affected by a crisis, and CCF seeks to fill this protection gap by focusing on child protection in emergency situations.

Emergency response traditionally focuses initial relief efforts on meeting basic needs: food, water, shelter and health care. While this aid is crucial, physical aid alone does not address children’s needs, risks, or invisible wounds — the psychosocial impacts of the crisis — that cause children to suffer and limit children’s functioning and healthy development. Child protection is part of the foundation of CCF’s  work to enable children’s well-being.

Worldwide, CCF is a voice for child protection and a recognized leader in the development of concepts, practices, and policies regarding children’s well-being when their lives have been impacted by an emergency.  In emergencies, CCF seeks to reduce risks to children’s well-being and make children’s rights a reality.  CCF’s holistic approach to strengthen and mobilize families and communities improves the safety and protection of children, adding to a viable recovery in areas impacted by emergencies.

How CCF Helps

CCF has responded to the needs of children in war-torn countries including Afghanistan, Angola, East Timor, Guatemala, Liberia, Kosovo and Sierra Leone. Child Protection initiatives include food distribution, reintegration of former child soldiers and abducted children, family tracing, psychosocial interventions and child centered spaces are primary examples of CCF assistance for traumatized children.

Child Centered Spaces: Child Centered Spaces are safe havens where children can regain a sense of normalcy through activities that help them heal. These special areas provide safe places to play, non-formal education and primary health services for children in emergency situations.   

For the world's children who live in poverty, any disaster — either manmade or natural — sends their fragile existence spinning.  Earthquakes, cyclones, floods, famine, drought, war and refugee resettlement put impoverished children at risk.

If you would like to help, you may contribute to our ChildAlert Emergency Fund. This is our general fund used for developing, operating and providing life-sustaining programs for children and families. Contributions to ChildAlert Emergency Fund are essential to help CCF in its mission to improve the lives of children.

Please enter the amount you'd like to donate (in US Dollars) in the box.