Thousands of children lost and in danger in Myanmar

16 May 2008

Up to 2000* of the youngest survivors of Myanmar are lost and unable to find their parents since Cyclone Nargis ripped through their homeland, says Katy Barnett, Save the Children's Child Protection Advisor.

Although exact figures are difficult to determine, Save the Children's 43-strong child protection team in Myanmar is concerned for the safety and survival of these acutely vulnerable children who have been separated from their parents and families. Most children are accompanied by adults, but not necessarily anyone related to them.

In the chaos of the cyclone itself families were torn apart. In its aftermath people are moving around the country to temporary camps in search of assistance and shelter. Reuniting children with their families becomes increasingly difficult.

Children separated from their parents and carers will not only be in great distress, they are also at enormous risk. With children living in cramped temporary camps, close to unfamiliar adults, they are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and illness. Young children in particular are not equipped to care for themselves. Children are also at risk from traffickers.

Save the Children's team in Myanmar is working with the UN and others to trace the families of separated children. A similar Save the Children programme after the 2004 tsunami successfully reunited thousands of children with their families.

Guy Cave, Save the Children's Deputy Director in Myanmar, says: "The youngest are often the hardest to help as they may be unable to tell us the name of their home village or even the names of their parents. The most urgent task for us is ensuring they are safe and well-cared for. We then work on the more complicated job of locating their parents. Imagine trying to locate someone with no phones, no address, no television or radio – no means of communication whatsoever. It's difficult, but we reunited thousands after the 2004 tsunami and we'll do the same here."

Save the Children is setting up safe play areas in temporary camps around Myanmar. These 'play schools' are critical in the aftermath of a major emergency. They provide a safe place for children to start the recovery process after the trauma of the cyclone and give their parents much-needed time to begin the long and difficult task of rebuilding their lives. Some of the donations to Save the Children will be used to provide toys, books and shelter for these 'play schools'.

Save the Children staff are also mindful of media reports that cyclone victims in government refugee camps are being used as forced labour. They are monitoring the situation.

For more information contact: Diane Robinson, Save the Children New Zealand communications coordinator: 04 381 7573; email: communications@savethechildren.org.nz