Caring for children in protection and rescue is not just an obligation, but a moral and professional imperative, said Miodrag Bešović, Director General of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP).
At the opening of the workshop on the topic "Analysis and risk assessment for a vulnerable category - children and rapid needs assessment", he emphasized the importance and complexity of the topic because it concerns the most vulnerable group in any crisis - children.
"Our goal is to find answers to numerous questions. Some of them are: have we paid enough attention and adequately addressed this area in disaster risk assessment, are our plans clear enough in the procedures for protecting this most vulnerable category, are we sufficiently trained for operational activities to protect and rescue children, and are they sufficiently educated for self-help and cooperation," said Bešović.
As he said, caring for children in protection and rescue is not just an obligation.
"It is a moral and professional imperative," Bešović emphasized.
The workshop, which was held in Podgorica from 15 to 18 December, was organized by the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative in South-East Europe (DPPI SEE), and UNICEF.
As announced by the Ministry of Interior, the workshop was organized as a follow-up to the first regional training in this area, with the aim of further strengthening the capacities of DPPI SEE member states to integrate child-friendly approaches into disaster risk analysis and assessment, as well as rapid needs assessments.
The event brought together representatives of institutions and services responsible for protection and rescue, as well as UNICEF experts and practitioners from across the region.
The Ministry of Interior said that, through expert presentations, moderated discussions and practical group exercises, participants considered key aspects of risk analysis with a child-friendly approach, including specific vulnerabilities and capacities in the context of disasters, the use of child-friendly indicators, as well as the application of these approaches in preparedness, response and recovery planning.
"The workshop provided a valuable platform for the exchange of experiences and good practices at the regional level, contributing to improving coordination between institutions and services responsible for protection and rescue and institutions dealing with child protection," the statement said.
As it was added, the workshop confirmed the continued cooperation between DPPI SEE and UNICEF in promoting inclusive, child-centered and resilient disaster risk management systems in South-Eastern Europe, with a particular focus on the protection and well-being of children in disasters and crisis situations.
The Ministry said that, following the workshop, a bilateral meeting was organized between Bešović and the Regional Advisor for Emergencies at the UNICEF Office for Europe and Central Asia, Michele Messina.
The interlocutors, as stated, assessed that the cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior and UNICEF to date has been of high quality, comprehensive and directed towards improving the protection and rescue system, especially in the context of protecting children in emergency situations.
"The interlocutors expressed their willingness to continue close cooperation in the coming period, with the common goal of strengthening the resilience of communities and improving the protection and rescue system in Montenegro and the region," the statement added.
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