HAITI: Special protection measures needed for Haiti’s children, says the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
[GENEVA, 18 January 2010] – The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said Monday it is deeply concerned about the devastating effects on children of the earthquake that struck Haiti last week, and urged “all those involved in the relief effort to pay particular attention to the heightened vulnerability of children who survived the disaster, and will inevitably face many additional hazards in its aftermath.”
“Children are always deeply affected by major disasters of this type, and almost half of the Haitian population are children,” the Committee said, expressing its heartfelt sympathy to the children and their families.
While encouraged by the initial reaction of the international community to assist Haiti in the aftermath of this catastrophe, the Committee called upon “all those involved to pay special attention to children in their relief as well as reconstruction efforts.”
An unknown number of children have been injured and are in urgent need of medical care, the Committee said, adding that “access to clean water and sanitation is vital to avoid the spread of communicable diseases, which can be particularly dangerous to children. The special needs and rights of children should also be taken into account during food distribution, to ensure that the food reaches those most in need, and not just those who are best placed to receive it – which is usually adults.”
See: http://en.sourcews.com/special-protection-measures-needed
