In over 40 current conflicts around the world, 90% of the victims are civilians – the majority of whom are women and children.  Of the over 100 million children who are out of school around the world, half live in the midst of conflict or in areas recovering from its devastation.  In times of crisis and conflict, children lose access to the learning opportunities, social relationships, and daily structured routines that are vitally important for their development and security.  In fact, whether in South Asia, Sudan, Nepal, Iraq or wherever a crisis hits, the instability that follows exposes children and women to trauma, violence and exploitation. 

There is legislation in Congress right now that could help these children and others. The Women and Children in Crisis and Conflict Protection Act (H.R.1413) and its companion legislation in the Senate, The Protection of Vulnerable Populations in Humanitarian Emergencies Act (S. 559) will ensure the United States government -- in addition to providing emergency food, water, and shelter -- works to protect women and children from the violence, exploitation, family separation, and emotional distress that can occur during and after emergencies.

Act now and send a message asking your members of Congress to co-sponsor this important legislation and to provide support for child protection in emergency funding.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

In over 40 current conflicts around the world, 90% of the victims are civilians, the majority of whom are women and children. Of the over 100 million children who are out of school around the world, half live in the midst of conflict or in areas recovering from its devastation. In times of crisis and conflict, children lose access to the learning opportunities, social relationships, and daily structured routines that are vitally important for their development and security. In fact, whether in South Asia, Sudan, Nepal, Iraq or wherever a crisis hits, the instability that follows exposes children and women to trauma, violence and exploitation.

Please make the protection of these children a priority in the 109th Congress by co-sponsoring The Women and Children in Crisis and Conflict Protection Act (H.R. 1413) or The Protection of Vulnerable Populations in Humanitarian Emergencies Act (S.559).

Given that children are particularly vulnerable in crises, all aspects of the relief effort -- the provision of food, shelter, health, sanitation and education -- need to be viewed with children in mind, ensuring that:

-Separated and orphaned children have access to food and water

-The system for rationing food, water and shelter takes these children into account

-If their schools are destroyed, there is a designated place for children to gather to play and continue their studies

Programs designed to identify and register children separated from their families and either reunite them or place them in other appropriate care must also be included. In addition, all children need a safe place to play, programs to mitigate the shock of the event and schools to re-open so that they can be kept save from exploitation, continue their education, and return to some sense of normality in their lives.

Again, I ask you to help ensure that the most vulnerable victims are protected from further harm in these crisis and conflict zones. Please co-sponsor the Women and Children in Crisis and Conflict Protection Act (H.R. 1413) or The Protection of Vulnerable Populations in Humanitarian Emergencies Act (S.559).

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 05, 2005