Global Emergencies in Child Health: Challenges and Solutions—Viewpoint and Recommendations from the European Paediatric Association and the International Pediatric Association

Global emergencies, including natural disasters, epidemics, drought, armed conflicts, and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have affected populations on five continents, causing devastating socioeconomic effects.Children are a most vulnerable and defenseless group. In tense situations, they feel overwhelmed and insecure and are often left to their own devices. Their rights to protection and integrity are threatened.3 The European Paediatric Association, Union of the National European Paediatrics Societies and Associations and the International Pediatric Association, representing the national pediatric societies from 149 countries, held a joint conference on October 9, 2021, in Zagreb, Croatia, to discuss the issue of global emergencies in pediatrics and their significant economic and social impact. Delegates discussed the challenges posed by a wide variety of emergencies in the context of increasing global complexities, while also exploring possible solutions. This article, prepared by the European Paediatric Association, Union of the National European Paediatrics societies and Associations–International Pediatric Association working group, includes the viewpoint and recommendations from the conference he group strongly recommends that countries develop, reorganize, and strengthen their health systems to address the social and environmental issues caused by global emergencies to enable more efficient and effective allocation and use of available resources for disaster preparedness and emergency response resources in communities. The statement emphasizes the importance of active involvement of all stakeholders, including governments and healthcare professionals. Their joint effort should focus on developing strategic partnerships with key international constituencies, such as the diplomatic, nongovernmental, legal, and academic communities, and the media with the aim of providing adequate support to infants, children, and adolescents affected by adversities.6 Pediatricians and their professional societies across the world must collaborate and share their experiences with new and emerging challenges in child health and together mitigate against inequalities within and between countries and between continents and together strongly and courageously advocate for the health and well-being of children.