Every year, over 175 million children are affected by disasters, and this number is expected to multiply threefold over the next decade due to climate change, environmental degradation, poverty and population growth.
Plan’s disaster risk management work promotes an innovative and effective humanitarian approach to tackling the escalation of disasters affecting today’s children, their families and future generations.
Our disaster work includes:
- Responding when emergencies occur by meeting communities’ immediate survival needs, including water, food, shelter and healthcare, with a focus on the particular needs of children and families.
- Supporting girls and boys to overcome trauma and fear and protecting children from abuse and exploitation through psychosocial support, child friendly spaces and the provision of education in emergencies.
- Supporting the long-term recovery of communities, addressing the root causes of vulnerability and making sure that children are fully involved in the process.
- Investing in young people’s knowledge and skills to better prepare for and prevent future disasters - saving lives and minimising loss and damage.
- Strengthening local governments’ and service providers’ capacity to deliver child centred disaster risk management.
- Influencing local, national and global policies to ensure children’s rights are met in emergencies.
Our programmes have been funded by the UK Government (DFID), the European Union (ECHO) and the generosity of the British public.
Last year, Plan carried out disaster response and recovery work in 22 countries.