BackgroundMajor natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods often trigger sudden emergencies, which have a significant impact on all aspects of the lives of affected populations. Children are a particularly vulnerable group to the effects of natural disasters, with unique physical, developmental, and psychosocial characteristics that place them at high risk for adverse outcomes (Murray, 2011). Some of the consequences for children after natural disasters include physical insecurity, poor living conditions, displacement and disruption of community life. Many children can remain orphans even after the loss of one or both parents. The consequences of natural disasters place children at risk of physical but also psychological consequences (Chemtob et al. 2002). The vulnerable child A rapid assessment of child protection needs after a disaster is vital. The child is subject to the physical effects of exposure to the elements, injury, lack of safe shelter, and disease. Children may also experience psychological consequences resulting from family separation, witnessing painful events and death, and general loss of safety. Children may be at risk of neglect, violence, abuse, organized crime, and trafficking in the post-disaster context (Balsari et al. 2010). These physical and psychological results can have immediate but also longer-lasting effects on the child. Mental health outcomes Some responses reported in children after the Thai tsunami and Hurricane Katrina included depressed mood, general fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. The children were afraid of being separated from their family, presented symptoms of hyperarousal, as well as sleep disturbances and nightmares. Some of the...... half of the article......, 52-55.Neuner, F., Schauer, E., Catani, C., Ruf, M. & Elbert, T. (2006 ). Post-tsunami stress: A study of posttraumatic stress disorder in children living in three severely affected regions of Sri Lanka. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19(3), 339-347.Nwe, Yin Yin. (2010). Children and the tsunami, one year on: a UNICEF draft summary of what worked. Available: http://www.unicef.org/emerg/disasterinasia/files/WhatWorked.pdf. Last accessed November 2011. Pairojkul, S., Siripul, P., Prateepchaikul, L., Kusol, K. & Puytrakul, T. (2010). Psychosocial first aid: support for children who survived the Asian Tsunami. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 31, 723-727.Silove, D. & Steel, Z. (2006). Understanding community psychosocial needs after disasters: Implications for mental health services. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 52(2), 121-125.