The pathways between natural disasters and violence against children: a systematic review.

Background: Natural disasters are increasingly affecting a larger segment of the world's population. These highly disruptive events have the potential to produce negative changes in social dynamics and the environment which increase violence against children. We do not currently have a comprehensive understanding of how natural disasters lead to violence against children despite the growing threat to human populations and the importance of violence as a public health issue.

Ethical considerations for children's participation in data collection activities during humanitarian emergencies: A Delphi review.

Background: Children's right to participate in data collection during emergencies has been widely recognized by humanitarian actors. However, participation in such activities can expose children to risk. Tensions have been noted between the right to participate and other principles, such as the imperative to 'do no harm.

Assessing the use of the neighborhood method to estimate the prevalence of child separation: a pilot in North Kivu, DRC.

Background: This article reports on the use of the 'neighborhood method' to measure the prevalence and basic characteristics of children who became separated from their parents or usual caregivers subsequent to an attack by the M23 militia group in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Methods: A two-stage household cluster survey was conducted in 522 households in North Kivu in August 2014. Heads of households were asked about separated children in their household, as well as the households of their two closest neighbors.

Estimating child separation in emergencies: Results from North Kivu.

Children who are separated from their families and usual caregivers in emergencies face a multitude of risks to their health and wellbeing. This study presents findings from the first known population-based estimation of separation in an emergency setting. Point prevalence and basic characteristics were measured to inform programming, policies and funding for affected populations.

Community-based surveillance to monitor trends in unaccompanied and separated children in eastern DRC.

Children who are separated from their families and usual caregivers in emergencies face a multitude of risks. The humanitarian community lacks methods to systematically capture changes in the frequency and nature of such separations over time. A mobile phone-based community surveillance system was piloted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.