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Moreover, as childhood and adolescence are periods of rapid change and evolving
capacities, this review has highlighted the importance of regular consultation. Children
are not a homogenous group, and this review has shown how age and gender, disability,
ethnicity, social and economic status and other differences need to be taken into account
in consultations and in ensuring actions children take are appropriate. In particular,
the needs of children with disabilities and discrimination on grounds of ethnicity were
repeatedly raised.
Important needs and rights were mentioned by children in various contexts, in particular
education, safety and protection, and the need for spaces to meet and play. These are
crucial in the minds of girls and boys for their recovery and for their future, and they worry
that time lost cannot be regained. Improved preparation, planning, implementation
and monitoring specifically of these rights can be implemented with children, in both
preparedness and response.
2. How can engaging children reduce vulnerability and manage risk?
Children are involved in disaster risk reduction programmes and climate change
adaptation preparation. They have shown skills and capacities in identifying hazards,
communicating information and taking collective action. Children in emergencies want to
be involved and have requested information. The increasing practice of child-led disaster
risk reduction work, paralleling child-led research and other activities in development
programmes, indicates practical possibilities that can be taken up. They would lead to a
re-shaping of emergency responses in a way that is more effective, efficient and relevant in
meeting the needs, circumstances and rights of children, now and later.
In some initial assessments in emergencies, it appears that no local preparedness work
has been undertaken. In the absence of previous consultations with children, some of
the issues raised and described in initial assessments actually refer to the period and
circumstances before the onset of emergency: the emergency will have exacerbated
existing problems. Regular assessment of children’s needs and opinions is necessary also
to ensure there is not a later decline in services (as indicated by children in Philippines)
after an initial improvement.
There is a noted lack of child consultations available in this area during and immediately
after conflict.
3. How can children’s ideas and perspectives drive transformation
through innovation?
This review has shown children’s capacity to analyze problems and propose innovative
solutions. They have demonstrated the potential of electronic, phone and other media in
communicating and acting in emergencies.