An urgent review of disaster planning and recovery in Australia is needed to ensure children receive more help during and after these events, according to a new report from two children’s charities.
The « After the Disaster » report by UNICEF Australia and Royal Far West have found that children are not receiving enough support to recover from the effects of disasters like bushfires and floods.
Tony Stuart, CEO of UNICEF Australia, says some Australian children have had drought recently , Experienced fires, floods and the coronavirus pandemic.
« The effects on children are profound and much deeper than many people believe, » he told AAP.
However, the report notes that children are in Guidelines or when planning disaster events are not identified as a critically at risk group.
« You do not feel part of our planning, and the irony is that they are the first thing we want to protect, « said Stuart.
He says climate change means children are at greater risk of more than one disaster in their lives – and the resulting health effects.
« Child mental health problems are on the rise, youth suicide is on the rise, » he said.
The report was released as parts of NSW have been hit by severe flooding and parts of WA are also affected by flooding.
The charities are calling for an urgent review at all levels of government to ensure that emergency and disaster policies are tailored to the specific needs of children.
The report is Recommended to allocate more resources to mental health programs for children under 12 and to set up a « Preferred Providers » panel, who can act quickly to provide relief specifically to children.
A growing body of evidence cites an increased risk of poorer mental health in children affected by bush fires. However, the effects cannot appear until three years after the event.
It is also determined that children from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds may have limited ability to overcome a bushfire trauma.
Tens of thousands of children were in 2019- 20 directly affected by the Black Summer bushfires, with some losing their homes, pets and possessions.
There are approximately five and a half million Australians under the age of 18, and two-thirds of them are under nine.
Related title :
– Forgotten children in disaster recovery efforts
– & # 39; & # 39 ;: Warning about bushfire trauma for children
– New report shows that children will be forgotten in the recovery of bushfires
Ref: https://7news.com.au
