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The Australian Development Gateway (ADG) strives to support members of the development community in their efforts to reduce poverty and enhance sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region. The site has been created with participation from members of government, private, academia and non-government organisations. User feedback mechanisms have been incorporated to guide future directions of the site. The site is optimised for low bandwidth access to enable the widest participation throughout the Asia Pacific region.

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After the cameras have gone: children in disasters (pdf 1.7mb)

The report examines the need to involve children in decisions made in post-disaster initiatives and provides case studies from Vietnam, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

This research shows that during a disaster the physical survival needs of children including, safe water, food, shelter, clothing and primary health care are usually given a very high priority. However, other needs and rights, which are also essential for children such as protection from abuse and harm, education, rest, privacy and the right to participate in matters that affect them are too often overlooked.

Chapters of this report include:
- Coping in the aftermath of Calamity Plan's experiences in El Salvador and Guinea
- The importance of education in disaster rehabilitation
- Plan's rapid education programme in Sierra Leone
- Disaster preparedness and safe villages in central Vietnam
- Meeting children's rights in a disaster

It highlights research with shows that listening to children is central to both identifying threats against their safety and helping their recovery, but adults are often too traumatised themselves to do this.

 

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