TODAY, classes in public schools resume – initially “blended” due to COVID-19 but eventually going face-to-face full blast.
The month of August is also within the country’s so-called typhoon season. Thankfully, we have six-year-old landmark law protecting children hit by calamities. The “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act” ensures the protection of children “in times of calamity, disaster, and other emergency situations.” It’s the first of its kind in Asia.
The law lays out a strategic plan of action for government to respond to the needs of children during emergencies. It includes provisions on establishing shelters for displaced children, promoting children’s rights, and addressing the needs of unaccompanied or separated children, including immediate care, tracing of relatives, and family reunification.
Over the past decades, the frequency and magnitude of natural hazards have increased due to climate change. Children suffer the most at the onset and aftermath of humanitarian emergencies because they are still dependent on adults, whether parents, relatives or guardians. Proper planning can help mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and man-made disasters on children.
During disasters or emergency situations, children are gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances that will affect their survival and normal development. It is the duty of government to establish and implement a strategic program of action to provide our children affected by disasters, calamities and other emergency situations with utmost support and assistance necessary for their immediate recovery.
We know that Philippines is hit by at least 20 deadly typhoons every year and millions of children are clearly most at risk every single time. It can’t be business as usual anymore for the next typhoon season. We must ensure the establishment of shelters for displaced children, immediate delivery of basic necessities and services, timely delivery of health and medical services, measures to ensure safety and security, and a plan of action for prompt resumption of educational services for children, among others.
