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| A boy after the earthquake in Haiti - Photo: www.alertnet.org |
Children are consistently one of the most vulnerable groups in emergency situations. The Guidelines for the alternative care of children, welcomed by the United Nations in November 2009, provide a framework for working with children in emergencies which should be observed by all relief actors in Haiti.
Children separated from their mother or/and father might be accompanied by another relative and maybe being cared for by aunts, uncles, or older siblings.
However, many children will be unaccompanied, meaning that they are not cared for by a relative or other legally responsible adults. These children may be in the care of neighbours, friends of the family, complete strangers, or are alone and in an extremely vulnerable position.
It is vital that a coordinated approach is taken by relief agencies in Haiti to identify, register and document these children as quickly as possible with a view to the earliest possible reunification with their family. At this moment, the situation of most unaccompanied children cannot be fully assessed on a reliable basis. SOS Children's Villages therefore cautions all organisations working in Haiti against taking premature decisions on permanent care solutions (e.g. adoption) for them.
SOS Children's Villages will work to reunite children and their families and will ensure that these children are safe and protected during this time of insecurity and unclarity. All efforts must be taken to reunite families and to help them rebuild their lives.
In addition, SOS Children's Villages Haiti will provide emergency care for unaccompanied children and take all necessary steps to reunite children with their family. Only in cases where reunification efforts have been exhausted (approx 6-12 months) will SOS Children's Villages, together with the local authorities, child protection services and the child, seek other permanent care solutions, be it in an SOS Children's Village or any other alternative care form which works in the best interest of each individual child.
The emergency relief programme of SOS Children's Villages in Haiti includes the following actions:
- Relief supplies for children and families (food, medicine clothing, shelter material etc.)
- Temporary care for unaccompanied children in our two SOS Children's Villages in Santo and Cap Haitien and other SOS facilities e.g. the SOS School in Santo
- Psychosocial support for traumatised children and their families
- Reunification programmes for unaccompanied children
- Help families rebuild their houses and their lives with comprehensive social programmes (counselling, vocational training, income generating etc.)
- Help communities rebuild infrastructure e.g. schools