Child Friendly Spaces: Protection for Children in Emergencies

1. Child Friendly Spaces: Protection for Children in Emergencies By J Thatparan Head of Child Protection Save the Children in Sri Lanka 6th November 2009

2. Geographic focus – Child Protection Area of focus – Multi approach • Developmental works – East • Humanitarian focus - North • Advocacy and piloting – South and West • One TPP with three over all objectives and clear indicators in 9 operational areas for the TPP "un cleared /No man area"

3. Objectives of CFS Promotion of child protection and well-being through: Providing immediate protection and security through a safe, supervised space for children to gather and play Promoting the recovery of children from stressful events associated with the emergency through children–focused activities (play and informal education) CFSs are developed through community mobilization and child participation for adults to organize themselves for children, strengthen the sustainability of child protection and support programmes and recover the capacities of communities

4. Principles of CFS Participation: Activities should involve all children, boys and girls including children with disabilities from the planning to implementation stage. Do not force children to participate. Child rights: Basic approach to CFS that provides support to children’s physical, emotional, social, spiritual and mental development Age-appropriate activities (0-5, 6-12, 13-18) development age Gender Sensitive: Activities meeting the needs for both boys and girls and sometimes play items are gender specific. Culturally relevant: Respecting values, beliefs, practices and tradition of the people Responsive: Contents of the activities must meet the specific needs of children and balance between structured activities and free play activities Community participation: Integral part of CFS both in the planning of activities and management of CFS

5. Impact of Conflict & Displacement Impact: • Armed conflict breaks trust, destroys communities, reduces opportunities for personal development, and creates deep psychological wounds • Armed Conflict and displacement affects relationships, family and community networks, and economic status. • In situations of armed conflict, children are due to death, separation and other losses, experiencing or witnessing violence, family and community breakdown, damaged human values and practices, and destruction of environment, including facilities and services • Impact Displacement: Change of physical and social environment, disruption daily routine/ insecurity/ no freedom of movement/ increased dependence

6. Process - CFS Phase 1 – Emergency setting Initial emergency response - NGOs and communities - to create "safe areas" or "child-friendly spaces" for children and adolescents to play, socialize, learn and express themselves. Phase 2 –Strengthening the CFS and putting in place a referral system, ensuring a protective environment Phase 3 – Transitional phase Eventually these activities transition into formal schooling, after-school recreational activities for out-of school adolescents and youth, and club activities or community social activities. Phase out: community support structures rebuilt/IDPs return back to the place of origin; transition to children clubs Note: Difference between CFS and children clubs (targeting All children vs. specific target group/activities??)

7. Planning of Child Friendly Space • Meeting with Camp Management • Meeting with relevant people & Authorities • Involve children and community members in design and running of CFS • Identify volunteers responsible for CFS • Plan Training for volunteers • Identify resources to set up the CFS

8. Ethical Guidelines Privacy and Confidentiality: Important for the integrity, security and peace of mind of children and their families Respect personal lives and their right to privacy Informed Consent: Objectives and purpose of the activities must be explained to children and their families and obtaining consent of any activities is essential Informed consent needed for pictures/video Participation should not be forced

9. Activities in Child Friendly SpaceAn Integrated Approach • Child Protection: Recreational: sports, play, story telling/ writing, group discussions, poem, drama, singing, music, drawing, etc • Psychosocial Support, culturally sensitive healing/ counseling • Refer vulnerable children to appropriate services/ link with CPC • Training Volunteers • Education: Pre school activities, non-formal education, evening tuition classes and place for studying • DRR: Identification Safe Space, Awareness Raising Activities at CFS (Life skills, Mine Risk Awareness, etc)

10. Programme Structured play and recreational activities Drawing, storytelling, singing, sports, drama and games Teamwork, cooperation, trust building, empowerment Educational Activities literacy and numeracy (especially if formal school is not available) Protection Activities Avoiding risks and hazards in the local environment basic health and hygiene Community Based Activities religious instruction appropriate to the local context specific activities to meet needs of community (i.e. clean up campaigns)

11. Integrating Child Protection in CFS • Prevention of child and family separations • Awareness of landmines and environmental hazards • Awareness on the needs of adolescents • Reintegration and rehabilitation of child soldiers • Care for victims of sexual and gender-based violence • Involvement of children and women in camp logistics

12. Management of Child Friendly SpaceRoles and Responsibilities • Volunteers: daily running of CFS & organizing age & gender appropriate activities at fixed times, supervision children • Children & communities: ongoing participation in organizing CFS activities • Child Protection Agency: Providing Technical Guidance and support, monitoring and providing materials (play and school materials) • Child Protection Agency: Training/ capacity building of Volunteers (CRC and basic child protection)

13. Monitoring Develop Check List Form for CFS • Set up and Access • CFS Activities • Volunteers and Facilitators • Children in Need of Special Protection • Identification of Child Protection issues • Parents and Communities • Materials

14. Break through.. Achieved: 141 Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) were established Mobilizing through 408 trained volunteers Over 55,675, children have been participating in recreational activities Since April 2009, 542 separated or unaccompanied children living in IDP camps have been released and reunified with their parents/relatives However 667 children placed in orphanages Challenges: An undetermined number of pending cases need intensive follow-up in order to ensure family care and community-based reintegration. (database!!) Regarding children released from armed groups, 538 children have been documented and produced before the relevant magistrates and social inquiry reports completed. (but their mobility!!) Care and psychosocial support is being given to these children in close collaboration with the Ministry of Justice/ Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. (from when!!) Vocational training and community based reintegration remain a priority for the following months/years. (resettlement!!)