Background
The Children in Crisis (CiC) Program seeks to address the health needs of children in humanitarian contexts. Over 400 million, or approximately one in six, children live in conflict zones. Nearly 37 million children are displaced due to conflict, poverty, or natural disasters. These children face disproportionate risks that have significant impacts on their ability to attain the highest level of health possible. In conflict settings, they are particularly vulnerable to harm from the loss of caregivers, disruption of social systems, direct violence, and limited access to pediatric health services. Understanding and responding to the unique needs of children in these environments is crucial to supporting children’s right to health and to prevent, mitigate, and address detrimental health consequences.
‍Mission
The CiC program partners with non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, donors, governments, and academic institutions to provide technical expertise and implementation support to address pediatric health needs in humanitarian contexts. By working collaboratively with partner organizations and communities, we help to define both immediate and long-term needs of affected populations, guide program development and implementation, and strengthen national and international resilience strategies. Our focus is on delivering targeted, effective, and sustainable interventions in collaboration with communities and partners.
‍Program Streams
CiC supports affected communities, partners, and governments through the following program streams: Knowledge Production, Technical Support, Education, and Policy and Advocacy.  

Current and Past Projects:

Supporting Boston Public School Nurses

In partnership with BCH’s Community Health Program and Boston Public School (BPS) nursing leadership, the GHP led a collaborative program to support the unique and critical needs of BPS nurses on the front lines during COVID.

Supporting Pediatricians to Care for Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Launched in 2020, the Pediatric Overflow Planning Contingency Response Network (POPCoRN) is a multi-institutional initiative that supports pediatric physicians in providing adult care during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on collaboration, education, and health equity.

Global Health Clinical Skills Training

The Pediatric Global Health Clinical Skills Course at MCRGHP provides practical, hands-on skill training and case-based teaching grounded in international best practices to support pediatric care provision in resource constrained settings.

Neonatal Resuscitation Training at Cheyenne River Health Center

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Plus was launched at Cheyenne River Health Center to enhance neonatal care for the Lakota Tribe as part of a broader collaboration with Indian Health Services to support community health and education initiatives.

Supporting Pediatric Care for Indigenous Children

Through our Indigenous Health Program, we partner with Indian Health Service to deliver high-quality, localized pediatric care, improving access to care and health outcomes for American Indian children in the Great Plains Area.

Global Pediatric Innovation Scholars Program

The BCH Global Pediatric Innovation Scholars program is an initiative created to support partners in implementing a project to improve pediatric clinical care or medical education in their home institutions. Visiting scholars are invited for a month-long observership at BCH and, in the following year, participants meet virtually with BCH collaborators for continued support towards their goals.