Our world is facing multiple crises – from wars to floods to earthquakes and financial cutbacks. Never before, in recent times, have so many catastrophes befallen the youngest in the world. Disasters significantly and seriously affect infants and young children. The brain is at a sensitive stage of development in the early years, and thus particularly vulnerable to these stressors.
It is every infant and young child’s right to receive nurturing care and to grow up in an environment that ensures security and safety, responsive caregiving and opportunities for early learning. These provisions, together with adequate nutrition and health care, form the pillars upon which early development rests. Without these pillars the future of these infants is at risk – physically and mentally. The impact on humanity could be profound.
It is the one of the purposes of WAIMH to facilitate international cooperation among individuals concerned with promoting conditions that will bring about the optimal development of infants and infant-caregiver relationships. To this end we have established the Infants in Global Crises Working Group and have offered our support to those who are attending to infants and their families in crises situations. WAIMH is also in the process of becoming a non-state actor to the World Health Organization (WHO). If approved, this relationship with the WHO, creates a voice from WAIMH to speak on behalf of babies and their families, on a range of health matters.
We stand firmly behind all the efforts that are happening globally on behalf of infants, young children and their families. We stand alongside each and every infant and young children worker, wherever they are working across the globe. We confirm our continued commitment to promoting a socially inclusive world, by supporting the children whose needs and rights are being undermined by these world events.
Our world is on fire, and unless we place infants and young children at the centre of our policies and efforts, we are in danger of destroying the future.
Astrid Berg, President of WAIMH
