1. Introduction – Protecting Children in a Disaster or Crisis

1.4. Background

Assumptions and Principles

This toolkit is based on the following assumptions and principles, which emphasize child-focused considerations during family reunification efforts:

  • Immediate Family Inquiries: Following an incident, family members and friends are likely to contact or visit hospitals, schools, and other community facilities where they believe their loved ones, particularly unaccompanied minors, may have been taken. Facilities should prepare for a substantial influx of people seeking information, even when relatively few survivors have been located.
  • Integrated Reunification Plans: Family reunification strategies cannot operate in isolation. Plans and procedures used by hospitals, schools, and other community facilities must be integrated with those of essential partner organizations, with particular attention to the unique needs of children.
  • Safe Spaces for Children: Dedicated safe areas, particularly Unaccompanied Minor Safe Areas (UMSAs), are needed for children who do not have a guardian present. These spaces should provide appropriate safety measures and developmentally appropriate care until each child can be released to a verified custodial adult.
  • Understanding Children’s Post-Disaster Behavior: Behavioral changes and stress-related physical symptoms are expected after a disaster. Health care providers, community workers, and caregivers should understand developmentally appropriate reactions, support adaptive coping, and identify children who may need additional intervention. This understanding can help mitigate long-term mental health effects.
  • Expectations of Child-Focused Community Facilities: Families expect hospitals and other community facilities to identify affected children, including survivors and deceased victims; provide accurate and timely information; and assist with safe reunification.
  • Delayed Victim Identification: Victim identification can be a prolonged process that may take days, weeks, or longer. The delay and resulting uncertainty can be especially difficult when children are involved. Families may struggle to understand the process, cope with ambiguity, and communicate effectively.
  • Communication Challenges: Community facilities may be unable to meet families’ expectations for immediate information because of forensic requirements, incomplete information, or resource limitations. These challenges can be particularly distressing when children are involved.
  • Child-Informed Cultural Responsiveness: Community facility staff should recognize how cultural traditions influence the ways families receive information, make decisions, and grieve, particularly when children are involved. Cultural humility is essential to providing effective, respectful, and compassionate support throughout the reunification process.