Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General, Khalid Sherdil has stressed the need for serious steps for child protection with special mention of disasters. He was speaking as the chief guest at a one-day training session on “Child Protection in Disasters” held at a local hotel. The training was organised by Punjab PDMA in collaboration with UNICEF, Pakistan. Referring to recent flood disasters in Pakistan, Khalid Sherdil said that this aspect had not been given due priority, however frameworks and policies were being prepared to protect and mainstream child issues. He explained the United Nations Convention on Rights of Child (UNCRC) to the participants and talked about recent issues. While referring to his experience in recent emergencies, he sensitised participants with separated accompanied and unaccompanied issues in local cultural and religious context. Issue of birth registration, distribution of relief items to under-age un-companied children were discussed in detail.
