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Introduction: Why integrate Child Protection in Nutrition?
During emergency situations, children are often vulnerable to malnutrition because they are dependent on others for their nutrition, care and wellbeing. Girls and boys face an increased risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Imbalances and discriminatory practices in terms of access to food and harmful traditional practices can be aggravated in times of crisis. For example, children in abusive families may be prevented from accessing food as a means of psychological abuse and/or punishment. Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) without caregivers may face difficulty in managing their food, such as selling it for other goods, or not knowing how to cook hygienically and properly. If the needs and risks of children are not considered in nutrition programs, children may be at further risk of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation as they try to obtain access to food and nutrition. It is therefore important that all Nutrition workers are aware of the specific needs and risks of children and carry out their activities in a way that protects children and does not put them at risk of any further harm.