Citation

Bothe DA, Olness KN, Reyes C. J. Dev. Behav. Pediatr. 2018; 39(8): 652-662.

Affiliation

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/DBP.0000000000000600

PMID

30059416

Abstract

Currently, throughout the world, there are nearly 40 million children displaced by natural or man-made disasters. The special needs of children in disasters are often unrecognized; yet children comprise half of disaster victims. The purpose of this review is to provide information on (1) demographics related to children and disasters, both domestic and international; (2) risks for children who experience disasters; (3) programs that help children in disasters; and (4) training programs on the special needs of children in disasters. Children who are displaced by disasters are at risk of acute and long-term medical problems. Disaster experiences can also lead to acute and long-term psychological problems. Ultimately, these have worldwide negative implications for human society, including education, health care, security, and economic and political aspects of daily life. There is a compelling need for more services to help the children who have experienced disasters and for education to train more relief workers about the special needs of children in disasters.

Language: en