How Disasters Affect Children

Jun 25, 2025
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By Sophia Russell

How disasters affect children

This article1 provides a fresh take on the positive impact that Child Sponsorship can have in a world of disasters and conflict. How disasters affect children

Disasters have the biggest impact on people who are vulnerable—including children. When an earthquake, landslide, famine or flooding strikes a community, few people are untouched.  How disasters affect children

But while adults may struggle in the aftermath, children are especially at risk of significant harm.  

‘Children are particularly vulnerable because they often haven’t developed the life skills or physical capabilities to deal with what they’ve experienced,’ Disaster Management Specialist Kelsea Clingeleffer explains. 

‘It’s not just physical harm such as sickness, hunger and injury, but also psychological impacts and trauma that, when unaddressed, can lead to long-term struggles.’ 

‘But children and young people are also incredibly resilient and resourceful. Given the right support and tools, they can not only recover from a disaster but become a positive influence in their community.’ 

There are three reasons why children are especially at risk during and after a crisis, and what can be done to help them build resilience. 

1. Children are more vulnerable physically

Child and adolescent bodies are still developing. Compared to adults, they inhale more air and absorb more harmful substances when the air quality is poor. Their skin is thinner, so they don’t sweat or cool down as effectively when exposed to heat. They lose fluid more easily, so are more susceptible to dehydration or hypothermia when exposed to the elements in extremes. 

When a disaster such a flood or earthquake destroys a community, people must often go without basic resources such as food, clean water and shelter.  

For children, these are serious risks.  

Being without shelter exposes children to extreme temperature and physical dangers. A lack of clean drinking water increases the risk of water-borne diseases, and no nutritious food leads to malnutrition.  

According to UNICEF, children living amongst conflict in Gaza were the first to die of starvation and were amongst those most impacted by exposure to extreme temperatures. 

Baptist World Aid works with other organisational Partners that help families meet their children’s physical needs, so they can continue to grow and develop after a disaster. They also teach children living in disaster-prone areas practical skills, so they can be proactive in protecting themselves and others if disaster strikes.

2. Trauma can harm children in the long run

Though highly resilient, children can be deeply affected by the psychological toll of disasters. Immediately afterwards, they may experience intense distress, fear, and confusion. Over time, they can develop more serious mental health conditions. 

Childhood and adolescence are critical times for brain development, and events can impact young people positively or negatively.  

A 2020 United Nations report found children who had experienced or witnessed violence were much more likely to develop anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance misuse, aggressive behaviour and impaired cognitive functioning. 

The risk of long-term psychological harm is increased by the disruption of support systems during a disaster, separating children from structures such as immediate or extended family, church or school.  

But when children are supported, they can thrive even in the most difficult circumstances.  

Baptist World Aid Partners provide children with Child cClubs, Youth Clubs, safe spaces to play and learn, and psychological support to help them process their experiences. By learning skills, children can increase their resilience and even go on to support others in need.

3. Children miss out on school

It’s often impossible to go to school when a disaster hits a community. According to UNICEF, at least 242 million students had their schooling disrupted by extreme climate events in 2024. 

Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, said ‘Last year, severe weather kept one in seven students out of class, threatening their health and safety, and impacting their long-term education’2.

In countries that already experience conflict or poverty, prolonged school closures put children at risk of dropping out or entering child labour. Girls are disproportionally impacted and face an increased risk of violence or child marriage. 

But the opposite is true: children who can continue their education are able to break the cycle of poverty and create a better future for themselves. Baptists World Aid’s Partners work with families in displaced communities, so children can continue learning even when they’re living in temporary shelters.

Becoming a child sponsor can help children survive disasters. Though vulnerable, children can be resilient when given the right support. Disaster preparation, caring for children’s health needs, and providing opportunities to learn is vital to ensure young people aren’t left behind after a disaster.

Child Sponsors can help ensure children have the best chance of survival by supporting the work of Baptists World Aid’s local Christian Partners. These Partner organisations provide disaster awareness training for children and youth, so they can be well prepared for a disaster.

Partners also run clubs to care for the environment and mitigate the risk of disasters (for example, planting trees that help hold soil in place or prevent debris from hitting a home).  

Giving also ensures that children can continue their education in times of crisis and receive counselling and mental health support to help them build resilience and heal from trauma.

  1. This article originally appeared on 15 May, 2025 on Baptist World Aid’s website  ↩︎
  2. Director Russell, C. (2025, Jan 25) in Climate crisis affects education worldwide: a quarter of a billion children affected by 2024. www.unicef.ch ↩︎

Sophia Russell a former journalist, is a Communication Specialist at Baptist World Aid Australia who hopes her stories will inspire justice.

How disasters affect children

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