First national conference on child protection in emergencies in Beijing

Beijing, China- Over 300 participants from government, academic institution, non-government organization, and veteran volunteers of emergency responses gathered on April 10–12 to share views and experiences on child protection in emergencies.

This conference is the 3rd National Psycho-social Health and Social Development Conference organized by the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and supported by World Vision and Zhen Ai Charity Foundation.

The conference was attended by NGO workers, charity foundations, veteran volunteers, academics and government representatives from Women and Children Working Committee of State Council, Anti-Human Trafficking Office of Ministry of Public Security.

In addition, local government representatives with experience in large scale emergency responses in China, including Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Gansu; attended and shared their learnings in working in emergency responses.

Ms Xiao Lan FU, Director of Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mr Jin Xing HU of Zhen Ai Charity Foundation, Victor Kan, National Director of World Vision China, and Mei Mei Leung, World Vision Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Manager, East Asia region, and Wing Yan MAK, Department Head of Children in Ministry of World Vision China, were among the participants.

"I had the great pleasure to participate at this first ever national-level event on child protection in emergencies in Beijing. I was especially impressed with one World Vision China's staff who spoke articulately about their work to integrate child protection minimum standards into their work in emergencies, and how child well-being is integrated into all their response work," said Mrs. Leen Decadt, World Vision’s Child Focus & Child Protection Advisor for East Asia Region.

Mrs. Leen Decadt demonstrated the importance of Child Protection work by sharing World Vision’s international child protection experiences in large-scale emergencies. She urged government and aid workers to uphold child protection principles in emergency situations.

Other speakers also shared their experiences on children psychological safety, as well as NGO’s efforts in collaborating with local governments to enhance the wellbeing of children in emergency responses and development work. Other INGOs present also reiterated the importance of prioritizing children’s needs in disaster responses.

As a child-focused organization, World Vision works closely with our key stakeholders to improve the well-being of children. We adopt a systems approach and collaborate with others in the humanitarian industry and local communities to sustain the well-being of children within their families and communities, especially the most vulnerable.

Building on internal expertise and assets within communities, families and children, we identify needs of children and help sustain community’s efforts to address the needs through targeted programmes. In ensuring the protection for children in emergencies, we use a child-focused perspective in our response strategy, and adopt international standards in our disaster management.

World Vision China has developed Life Skills Educational Packages, Educational Toolkits on Child Protection, Disaster Safety Handbooks, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) posters for children, DRR Teachers’ Toolkits, School Evacuation Drill Handbook.