To explore the effects of polycrises on child development, particularly for children with disabilities.
Approach:
Definition of polycrisis: Polycrisis is defined as a condition where children face multiple interacting forms of conflict—armed, environmental, structural, political, economic, and migratory—either concurrently or sequentially.
Impact of polycrises: The article discusses various case studies illustrating how humanitarian crises, including climate change and immigration policies, adversely affect children, especially those with disabilities.
Professional responsibilities: Child health professionals are urged to document developmental harms, advocate for rights-based protections, and incorporate comprehensive educational frameworks in their practice.
Call to action: A framework is proposed for strategic action to advance the rights of children with disabilities in polycrisis settings, emphasizing non-discrimination, best interests, and meaningful participation.
Key Findings:
Over 473 million children live in conflict-affected areas.
Children with disabilities are among the most affected by humanitarian crises.
Climate change exacerbates resource scarcity and social tensions, impacting child migration.
Resilience is framed as a collective and relational quality rather than an individual trait.
Limitations:
The article does not provide quantitative data to support the claims.
Specific case studies may not represent the broader population of affected children.
Conclusion:
A multi-level intervention strategy is essential to address the needs of children with disabilities in polycrisis settings.
