Child protection in emergencies The prevention of and response to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence against children in emergencies. An emergency is defined as threatening condition that requires urgent action. Emergencies often have devastating effects on children’s lives. They result in girls and boys being killed or injured, becoming orphaned, separated from their families, being recruited into armed forces or groups, being sexually abused, becoming children with disabilities, being trafficked or, worse, experiencing several of these at the same time (CPMS).