Every child has the right to survival and development. Experience and research have shown that a minimum set of conditions is necessary to ensure a fair start in life, if these rights are to be fulfilled. These conditions include effective and responsive caring by the child’s family and the community; access to and use of quality basic social services by pregnant and lactating women, as well as children; and a supportive policy environment.

During emergencies, these conditions are compromised at best, and absent at worst. Young children in such situations often miss out on the opportunity to receive the caring and services they need to develop to their full potential.