Children's Rights, Vulnerabilities and Protection in Disasters
Disasters affect all of us, but children often bear the deepest and longest-lasting impacts. From loss of family and home to interruptions in education and threats to safety and wellbeing, their experiences are shaped by forces beyond their control. Yet their needs, voices, and rights are too often overlooked in disaster planning and response.
This book brings together researchers and practitioners who have worked closely with children in disaster and emergency settings. Through a mix of grounded research, policy analysis, and real-world examples, the authors explore how disasters make children vulnerable – and how we can better protect them. The chapters cover a wide range of issues, including climate change and migration, disability inclusion, community preparedness, child protection systems, and the role of education and local organisations in recovery and resilience.
Rooted in evidence and lived experience, this volume argues that children must be at the centre of disaster policy and practice. Whether you are a student, policymaker, practitioner, or concerned citizen, this book shows that safeguarding children in times of crisis is not only necessary – it is possible.
About the authors: Prof. Shazia Manzoor is a Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Kashmir. Dr. Javaid Rashid is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir, with a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.