The challenges of applying principles of relational practice in child friendly spaces in humanitarian emergencies

Witnessing violence, death, destruction of social fibre and disruption of daily routine negatively affects children’s normal development and robs them of their childhood (Save the Children 2008; IASC, Global Protection Cluster, INEE & Education cluster, 2011). In order to address the effects of humanitarian disasters, child protection organisations set up child friendly spaces (sometimes referred to as CFS) to address the psychosocial needs of children and youth. Child friendly spaces provide young people with a safe place to play, socialise and develop a sense of normalcy and recovery. This paper attempts to integrate the concept of relational practice into child friendly spaces, demonstrating why lack of relational practice in child friendly spaces in emergencies may affect the process of psychosocial recovery and impact on children’s developmental outcomes. It also discusses some of the structural limitations within the humanitarian sector that may affect the adaptation of a therapeutic relational approach in child friendly spaces during an emergency.