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:

Global Training for Hydrocephalus Care: Reducing Shunt Dependence Through Innovation

Nearly half a million babies, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, are affected by hydrocephalus each year; in partnership with GHP, NeuroKids is addressing this by training global surgeons in ETV/CPC, a minimally invasive alternative to shunt-dependence.

Global Cardiac Nursing Support in Kenya

Christine Placidi, a Global Nursing Fellow, partnered with a BCH cardiac surgeon in Bomet, Kenya, to perform pediatric cardiac surgeries and provide educational resources, while offering ongoing support via WhatsApp to help establish a self-sustained program.

Strengthening Pediatric Surgical Capacity in Ukraine

By securing specialized surgical equipment, we supported Dnipro Children’s Hospital in expanding its surgical capacity and providing critical care to thousands of children affected by war-related injuries.

Enhancing Neurosurgical Care in Antigua and Barbuda

Due to severe neurosurgical care shortages in the Caribbean, Carly Campbell traveled to Antigua and Barbuda as part of her Global Nursing Fellowship to assist a team of surgeons in performing neurological surgeries, assess local needs, and develop strategies for sustainable improvements in care and education.

Akoma Ntoaso: Improving Mental Health for children and adolescents with chronic disease in Ghana

Adolescents with chronic illnesses in Ghana face mental health risks exacerbated by fragmented resources, limited collaboration between traditional and Western practices, and stigma. BCH clinicians, in partnership with Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), aim to integrate mental and chronic health care services.

Digitalizing pediatric records at JFK Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia

Developing a digital pediatric records at JFK Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia

Strengthening Pediatric Care in Rwanda: HRH Program and Beyond

Enhancing pediatric care in Rwanda by partnering with Human Resources for Health and the Rwandan Pediatric Partnership to advance pediatric training by providing distance learning for subspecialty education needs during the COVID pandemic.

Strengthening Neonatal & Pediatric Emergency & Critical Care Nursing in Haiti

A nursing collaboration in Haiti provided education to 46 nurses from 11 hospitals across the country in neonatal intensive care and pediatric emergency/critical care during a 6-month training program. Haitian nurse educators were trained to independently facilitate the course and successfully implemented it in subsequent years.

Hearts and Minds of Ghana

Enhancing pediatric cardiac care in Ghana by delivering crucial surgical interventions, building local healthcare capabilities and promoting long-term improvements in patient care.

Enhancing Health and Wellness for Vulnerable Youth in Rural Rwanda

Since 2007, the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda has enhanced its health and wellness program by implementing standardized protocols and training, leading to improved annual health assessments, mental health screenings, and first aid support for its 500 youth residents.

Arsenic Exposure and Spina Bifida: Sparking Health Policy Changes in Bangladesh

Dr. Mazumdar's research in Bangladesh has uncovered a possible connection between arsenic exposure and spina bifida, leading to new health policy resolutions by the Bangladesh Health Ministry focused on folate standards and spina bifida prevention.

Assisting Colombian National Police's Wounded Warriors

The Colombian National Police Wounded Warriors Assistance Project is designed to build capacity for physical and psychological rehabilitation services across Columbia and to create clear alternative training opportunities and career pathways for disabled police.