Promoting the Rights of Children with Disabilities, UNICEF
Promoting the Rights of Children with Disabilities, UNICEF
Promoting the Rights of Children with Disabilities, UNICEF
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Box 5.2 Landmines cause disability in AngolaWhile <strong>the</strong> total number <strong>of</strong> landmine victims inAngola is not known (due to limited data collection),government estimates report that <strong>the</strong>re are70,000 to 80,000 mine survivors, representingnearly 80 per cent <strong>of</strong> all persons <strong>with</strong> disabilities.The proportion <strong>of</strong> casualties who are children is<strong>the</strong>refore also unknown. It is estimated, however,that 85 per cent <strong>of</strong> mine survivors are youngpeople (70 per cent <strong>of</strong> whom are illiterate). i TheCommittee on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Child has noted<strong>with</strong> concern <strong>the</strong> large number <strong>of</strong> landminesremaining across <strong>the</strong> country and continuing tocause injuries to children and pose a threat to<strong>the</strong>ir survival and development. iiThere are few facilities available for people <strong>with</strong>physical disabilities in Angola and <strong>the</strong> provision<strong>of</strong> any type <strong>of</strong> assistance, particularly outsidemajor cities, has been significantly affected by<strong>the</strong> long years <strong>of</strong> armed conflict. iiiSources:iLandmine Monitor Report 2006, Angola, .iiUN Committee on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Child, ConcludingObservations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Committee on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Child (Angola), 1 October 2004, CRC/C/15/Add.246.iiiLandmine Monitor Report 2004 Angola, .long-term psychological consequences. Even<strong>the</strong> most caring <strong>of</strong> parents will be torn betweenremaining <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir disabled child at a specialfacility and returning home to meet <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> all<strong>the</strong>ir o<strong>the</strong>r children.<strong>Children</strong> in war zones run a greatly increased risk<strong>of</strong> being injured and disabled by landmines andunexploded cluster munitions, in African countriessuch as Angola (see box 5.2), in Cambodia ando<strong>the</strong>r South-East Asian countries, in South-EasternEurope and in <strong>the</strong> Middle East. <strong>Children</strong> may be outplaying in <strong>the</strong> fields or running errands through <strong>the</strong>woods and <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>ten cannot read warning signs.Many children were born after fighting ended, sohave no memory <strong>of</strong> where mines might have beenlaid. <strong>Children</strong> who cannot understand warnings areparticularly at risk. 65Assistance to child as well as adult victims <strong>of</strong>landmines should cover at least six major areas:data collection; emergency and continuing medicalcare; physical rehabilitation and pros<strong>the</strong>tics;psychological support and social reintegration;economic reintegration; and disability laws andpublic policies. Available information indicatesthat most countries affected by landmines havefacilities to address some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> landminesurvivors; however, in over 85 per cent <strong>of</strong> countries<strong>with</strong> new mine casualties in 2004–2005, oneor more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> above six areas was reportedlyinadequate to meet <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> mine survivorsand o<strong>the</strong>r persons <strong>with</strong> disabilities. 66 When childrenare left injured, <strong>the</strong>ir growing bodies and boneswill require, on average, a new pros<strong>the</strong>sis every sixmonths. This places an immense financial burdenon families who are <strong>of</strong>ten already living in difficultcircumstances. 67<strong>Children</strong> involved in civil wars and disturbances areparticularly likely to suffer psychological traumaand long-term damage. Providing emotional andpersonal support to children should be addressed asa high priority.Particularly in <strong>the</strong> period since <strong>the</strong> December 2004tsunami, understanding has grown <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> need forspecific provisions for persons <strong>with</strong> disabilities,including children, in relation to natural disasters.The distinct needs <strong>of</strong> persons <strong>with</strong> disabilitiesmust be taken into account, <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir directinvolvement, in emergency planning and training,and in <strong>the</strong> design <strong>of</strong> systems for evacuation,shelter and emergency communications. Persons<strong>with</strong> disabilities must be involved as stakeholdersin <strong>the</strong> full spectrum <strong>of</strong> emergency response andrelief efforts, including in <strong>the</strong> areas <strong>of</strong> mobility andaccurate data collection. Organizations representingpersons <strong>with</strong> disabilities have a particular role toplay at all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se stages, including in <strong>the</strong> recoveryprocess. 68Whe<strong>the</strong>r in natural disasters or man-madeemergencies, a series <strong>of</strong> actions can be identified inorder to bring response for children <strong>with</strong> disabilitiesinto <strong>the</strong> mainstream. Focus must be on both <strong>the</strong>affected child and <strong>the</strong> family. Preventive effortsshould aim both to prevent disabling conditionsfrom occurring, and to enable early identificationto prevent <strong>the</strong>ir progression. Protective actionsshould focus on reuniting separated children <strong>with</strong><strong>the</strong>ir families or developing fostering alternativeswhere needed; and supporting families both <strong>with</strong>resources and <strong>with</strong> listening and advice. <strong>Children</strong><strong>with</strong> disabilities should have access to play, sportand leisure activities, and <strong>the</strong>y should be involvedin decisions affecting <strong>the</strong>m. Physical rehabilitationservices are important, depending on <strong>the</strong> individualsituation. Psychosocial services following disastersare critical for children <strong>with</strong> emotional or mentaldifficulties, which <strong>of</strong>ten seriously compoundphysical impairments. Finally, <strong>the</strong>se children inemergencies should have access to education andpractical training, in inclusive settings. All actionsfor children <strong>with</strong> disabilities in emergency situationsrely on <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> positive attitudes andsupport by <strong>the</strong> community. 69Participation and access to opportunities<strong>Children</strong> <strong>with</strong> disabilities, like all o<strong>the</strong>r children, havea right to express <strong>the</strong>ir views freely in all mattersInnocenti Digest No. 13<strong>Promoting</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Disabilities</strong>20