The processes and activities that allow crisis-affected people to play an active role in all decision- making processes that affect them. Real participation includes all groups, including the most vulnerable and marginalized. It enables people and communities to take part in decision-making processes and to be involved in actions on issues that are of concern to them. It is a way of recognising dignity, identifying and mobilizing community resources, and building consensus and support. Participation is a right and is voluntary. See Child participation and Principle 3.

Activities and measures taken in advance of a crisis to ensure an effective response to the impact of hazards, including issuing timely and effective early warnings and the temporary evacuation of people and property from threatened locations.

Adapted from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) definition of prevention:

• Primary Prevention entails addressing root causes of child protection risks among the population (or a sub-set of it) to reduce the likelihood of abuse, neglect, exploitation or violence against children.

• Secondary Prevention entails addressing specific source of threats and/or vulnerabilities of a child who is identified as being at particularly high risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or violence, due to characteristics of the child, family and/or environment.

• Tertiary Prevention entails reducing the longer-term impact of harm and reducing the chance of recurring harm to a child who has already suffered abuse, neglect, exploitation or violence.

Any data that is collected directly from its original source for the objective in question. The objective of primary data collection is to establish a reliable source of information from the affected populations and areas, including where the affected population might have moved to. Primary data is only collected when it does not exist elsewhere. See also Secondary data.

All activities aimed at ensuring the full and equal respect for the rights of all individuals, regardless of age, sex, gender, ethnicity, social or political affiliation, religious beliefs, or other status. It goes beyond the immediate life-saving activities that are often the focus during an emergency. Protection is in accordance with the letter and spirit of the relevant bodies of law, namely Human rights law, International humanitarian law, and Refugee law.

Child Protection is an Area of Responsibility within the Protection Cluster within the Cluster system.

Term used by the UN and NGO community to refer to measures taken to prevent, mitigate and respond to acts of sexual exploitation and abuse by their own staff and associated personnel, including community volunteers and government officials engaged in the provision of humanitarian assistance.

The process of incorporating protection principles and promoting meaningful access, safety and dignity in humanitarian aid. The following elements must be taken into account in all humanitarian activities:

1. Prioritize safety and dignity and avoid causing harm: prevent and minimize as much as possible any unintended negative effects of your intervention which can increase people's vulnerability to both physical and psychosocial risks;
2. Meaningful Access: arrange for people’s access to assistance and services - in proportion to need and without any barriers (e.g. discrimination). Pay special attention to individuals and groups who may be particularly vulnerable or have difficulty accessing assistance and services;
3. Accountability: set-up appropriate mechanisms through which affected populations can measure the adequacy of interventions, and address concerns and complaints; and
4. Participation and empowerment: support the development of self-protection, capacities and assist people to claim their rights, including – not exclusively – the rights to shelter, food, water and sanitation, health, and education.

Unpleasant feelings or emotions that can impact your level of functioning and ability to navigate and participate in social interactions. It is psychological discomfort that interferes with your activities of daily living. Psychological distress can result in negative views of the environment, others, and the self. Sadness, anxiety, distraction, disruption in relationships with others and some symptoms of mental illness are manifestations of psychological distress.

The interaction between social aspects (such as interpersonal relationships and social connections, social resources, social norms, social values, social roles, community life, spiritual and religious life) and psychological aspects (such as emotions, thoughts, behaviours, knowledge and coping strategies) that contribute to overall well-being.

Persons with psychosocial disabilities include those who have what is known in medical terms as ‘mental health conditions’, and who face significant barriers to participating in society on an equal basis with others. Persons with psychosocial disabilities may experience different thoughts, emotions and behaviour compared with other people. Rights- based language refers to psychosocial disability, in recognition of the impact of physical and social barriers, including discrimination, on equal access to opportunities for participation.

Définitions de la prévention, adaptées de celle du Centre pour le contrôle et la prévention des maladies (CDC) :

• La Prévention primaire implique de s’attaquer aux causes profondes des risques de protection de l’enfance au sein de la population (ou d’un de ses sous-ensembles), afin de réduire les probabilités d’abus, de négligence, d’exploitation ou de violence envers les enfants.

• La Prévention secondaire implique de traiter la source spécifique des menaces et/ou des vulnérabilités d’un enfant identifié comme particulièrement exposé au risque d’abus, de négligence, d’exploitation ou de violence en raison de ses caractéristiques, sa famille et/ou son environnement.

• La Prévention tertiaire implique de réduire l’impact à long terme de préjudices, et de réduire les risques qu’un enfant déjà victime d’abus, de négligence, d’exploitation ou de violence y soit à nouveau exposé.

Les soins, l’éducation et la protection à temps plein d’un enfant par une personne autre qu’un parent, mais qui est liée à l’enfant par des liens familiaux ou par une relation antérieure significative.

La prise en charge « informelle » dans la famille élargie désigne tout arrangement privé conclu dans une famille, aux termes duquel l’enfant est pris en charge par un proche.

La prise en charge « formelle » dans la famille élargie désigne les placements qui ont été ordonnés ou autorisés par un organisme administratif ou une autorité judiciaire ; elle implique d’habitude l’évaluation de la famille pour l’enfant et la fourniture d’une certaine sorte de soutien et de suivi continus.