Dear Senator / Representative,
As the scope of the tsunami tragedy in Southeast Asia unfolds it remains clear that millions of the tsunami survivors are children now facing heightened risk of disease and exploitation. Reports of children in Southeast Asia orphaned and separated from their families and at serious risk of exploitation and abuse continue to make headlines. Please make the protection of these children a priority in the 109th Congress by supporting specific funding for child protection activities in emergency funds for tsunami relief and by supporting the "Women and Children in Crisis and Conflict Protection Act."
This legislation, set to be introduced by Representatives Nita Lowey and Christopher Shays, calls for the US Government to provide a high level coordinator to ensure any US disaster assistance response includes programs to protect the special needs and interests of women and children. The bill also calls for resources to be specifically allocated for protection programming.
Given that children are particularly vulnerable in crises, all aspects of the relief effort -- the provision of food, shelter, health, sanitation and education -- need to be viewed with children in mind, ensuring that:
-Separated and orphaned children have access to food and water
-The ration card system takes these children into account
-If their schools are destroyed, there is a designated place for children to gather to play and continue their studies
Programs designed to identify and register children separated from their families and either reunite them or place them in other appropriate care must also be included. Such children may also need special protection from violence or other forms of exploitation. In addition, all children need a safe place to play, programs to mitigate the shock of the event and schools to re-open so that they can return to some sense of normality in their lives.
The level of suffering for children and their families affected by the earthquake and tidal waves across the Indian Ocean rim is unprecedented. Again, I ask you to help ensure that the most vulnerable victims are protected from any further harm. Please support funding specifically for child protection programs in the emergency supplemental as well as the "Women and Children in Crisis and Conflict Protection Act."
Sincerely,
[Your name]