Promoting the rights of Children with disabilities innocenti digest no

particularly at risk.
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Assistance to child as well as adult victims of 
landmines should cover at least six major areas: 
data collection; emergency and continuing medical 
care; physical rehabilitation and prosthetics; 
psychological support and social reintegration; 
economic reintegration; and disability laws and 
public policies. Available information indicates 
that most countries affected by landmines have 
facilities to address some of the needs of landmine 
survivors; however, in over 85 per cent of countries 
with new mine casualties in 2004–2005, one 
or more of the above six areas was reportedly 
inadequate to meet the needs of mine survivors 
and other persons with disabilities.
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When children 
are left injured, their growing bodies and bones 
will require, on average, a new prosthesis every six 
months. This places an immense financial burden 
on families who are often already living in difficult 
circumstances.
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Children involved in civil wars and disturbances are 
particularly likely to suffer psychological trauma 
and long-term damage. Providing emotional and 
personal support to children should be addressed as 
a high priority.
Particularly in the period since the December 2004 
tsunami, understanding has grown of the need for 
specific provisions for persons with disabilities, 
including children, in relation to natural disasters. 
The distinct needs of persons with disabilities 
must be taken into account, with their direct 
involvement, in emergency planning and training, 
and in the design of systems for evacuation, 
shelter and emergency communications. Persons 
with disabilities must be involved as stakeholders 
in the full spectrum of emergency response and 
relief efforts, including in the areas of mobility and 
accurate data collection. Organizations representing 
persons with disabilities have a particular role to 
play at all of these stages, including in the recovery 
process.
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Whether in natural disasters or man-made 
emergencies, a series of actions can be identified in 
order to bring response for children with disabilities 
into the mainstream. Focus must be on both the 
affected child and the family. Preventive efforts 
should aim both to prevent disabling conditions 
from occurring, and to enable early identification 
to prevent their progression. Protective actions 
should focus on reuniting separated children with 
their families or developing fostering alternatives 
where needed; and supporting families both with 
resources and with listening and advice. Children 
with disabilities should have access to play, sport 
and leisure activities, and they should be involved 
in decisions affecting them. Physical rehabilitation 
services are important, depending on the individual 
situation. Psychosocial services following disasters 
are critical for children with emotional or mental 
difficulties, which often seriously compound 
physical impairments. Finally, these children in 
emergencies should have access to education and 
practical training, in inclusive settings. All actions 
for children with disabilities in emergency situations 
rely on the promotion of positive attitudes and 
support by the community.
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