Safe Spaces: The Urgent Need for Early Childhood Development in Emergencies and Disasters

This paper highlights that while a great deal of work has already been done to bring Safe Spaces to children in emergencies, too often these efforts have been fragmented or have not targeted the youngest children. We need increased prioritisation and donor investment to make these efforts systematic and far reaching and to expand the capacity of existing programmes so that no children are left behind. Despite young children’s immense vulnerability, the situation is not hopeless. Children are incredibly adaptable and resilient, and with proper support for their physical, mental and socioemotional health and development and close relationships with nurturing caregivers, children can not only survive emergencies but manage to thrive in spite of even the most adverse circumstances.