CHILD FRIENDLY SPACES

CHILD FRIENDLY SPACES

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Child friendly Spaces provide a safe and protective space for children in emergencies and when natural disasters occur. The purpose of this space is to support the resilience and well-being of children and young people.

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UNICEF explains the following main principles of Child Friendly Spaces (CFS).

·         CFS are secure and safe environments for children

·         CFS are inclusive and non-discriminatory

·         CFS provide a stimulating and supportive environment for children

·         CFS are built on existing structures and capability within a community

·         CFS use participatory approach for the design and implementation

·         CFS offer supportive integrated programmes and services

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In Port-Au-Prince there are a number of CFS set up in camps in and around the capital.  In the initial response to the 2010 earthquake these spaces were a fundamental necessity. They give opportunities for lost, displaced and highly vulnerable children to be reunited with their family members or to be in a space where they were protected and safe. The multipurpose spaces offered clean drinking water and nutrition is provided to the children who attended.  Within these spaces services were available for children to have a health assessment and gain psychosocial support and guidance from trained persons.

Although set up as temporary spaces they are still operating in Port-Au-Prince and have transformed into an essential resource within this challenging environment.
Within the CFS children have opportunities to be children and play, meet friends, have access to health and hygiene information and acquire contextually relevant skills. There are opportunities for children to gain a foundation or further their education. There has been a decline in the number of students attending education programmes since the hurricanes this year with further destruction across the country.

CFS’s are a significant personal and social environment in the lives of the children that attend them. One essential element for the on-going success of the CFS’s in Port-Au Prince is engaging the community and getting them involved in the running of these vital spaces. Integrating community members and involving parents and care givers in the development structure and services with CFS’s will lead to them having a sense of ownership.  Community members working with children conducting activities to demonstrate their skills, passions and cultural knowledge and understanding will strengthen the community bond.  Skills relevant to the children's environment and that will support their future such as building and activities that discuss sustainability will be taught. These activities will also support the children’s mother tongue.