Child citizenship in disaster risk and affected environments

Children can’t always be protected from exposure to unpredictable disaster events and the subsequent disruption that can undermine mental, physical, emotional and social health, often extending into adulthood (Anderson, 2005; Bonanno, Brewin, Kaniasty, & La Greca, 2010; Changaris, 2010; McFarlane & Van Hooff, 2009). It can also interrupt development and learning (Gilligan, 2000; National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2004). However, many children demonstrate resilience by negotiating the periods of initial distress and family, school and community disruption and then continuing to thrive in these different settings (Anderson, 2005; Boyden, 2003; Hagan, 2005; Peek, 2008)