Attachments
Preamble
During times of crisis, the integral protection of children and adolescents must be at the heart of humanitarian actions and disaster management. UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR), through the National Secretariat for Civil Protection and Defense (SEDEC) and other partners, reaffirms its commitment to promoting Child-Centered Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR). This approach, which puts children at the heart, seeks to ensure not only their physical safety but also their emotional, social and educational well-being. In disaster scenarios, such as floods, droughts, landslides or forest fires, the vulnerability of children and adolescents is exacerbated. Separation from their families, loss of their homes, and disruption of their school routine can have profound consequences for their development and mental health. In these circumstances, it is essential that the response offers protection, safety, health and a healthy environment, integrated with a psychosocial education and support approach. All too often, in Brazil and in many other countries affected by disasters, wars or any kind of humanitarian crisis, children and their families are forced to leave their homes. In this context, local authorities offer temporary collective accommodation to provide affected families with a roof over their heads and minimum safety conditions. This short document aims to provide important guidance to local actors to ensure that emergency shelters and, more broadly, the overall response, meet the needs of children and adolescents, specifically adolescent girls who face additional risks.