The article compares two approaches to transnational humanitarian recuperation that Italian organisations undertook in relation to children affected by the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters. The first approach was a home stay and the second – a camp stay.
Using in-depth interviews with children and their parents from Belarus and Japan as well as NGO reports and media reports, the article shows that both humanitarian approaches had intended and unintended consequences on child well-being. The intended consequences included improved health and social inclusion; the unintended consequences included psychological distress and social discrimination.
The article raises awareness about how good humanitarian intentions not always result in good outcomes.
Author:
Ekatherina Zhukova
Title:
Chronic crisis and nuclear disaster humanitarianism: recuperation of Chernobyl and Fukushima children in Italy