Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Displacement

Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of war, and frequently represent at least half of the population in a conflict area. They suffer fear and insecurity, and disruption to every aspect of their lives. Children who have been displaced are at an increased risk of sexual and physical violence, disease and malnutrition, and separation from family members. As displaced persons or refugees they may experience severe poverty, abuse, exploitation, and psychosocial distress.

Children without parental care in conflict areas are highly vulnerable to abduction or other forms of recruitment by armed forces and groups. Such children may be used to fight, provide labour or be sexually exploited. Involvement in conflict may result in malnutrition, abuse, addiction to drugs, injury, psychosocial distress or death. While children associated with armed forces and groups make up a small minority of the total number of children affected by war, they are extremely vulnerable and in need of particular protection and care.

Opportunities to help children who have been associated with fighting forces may begin with their escape, capture or formal demobilization. Some may be able immediately to reunite with family members, but others may need interim care during tracing. While children may be readily accepted by their family and community, others risk rejection. Family mediation and community sensitization is needed to support family reunification and community integration. Ongoing monitoring, family support services, and placement planning is necessary where children are not reunited with one or both parents or where family and community acceptance is uncertain.

Community action to protect and support war affected children should be inclusive and not limited to children formally associated with armed forces or any one group of children. National efforts should focus on the reestablishment of essential services, particularly in the areas of security, health and education.

While this section contains resources relevant for all children in conflict affected areas, it focuses on children without parental care, including refugees and displaced children, and children associated with armed forces and groups. It includes information on demobilisation, family reunification and community reintegration.

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Erasing Identities Through Forcible Transfer of Children from Ukraine to Russia

Child Identity Protection, 06 Dec 2023

Judge Raul Pangalangan International Criminal Court Judge (2015 – 2021)

The Taken Children of Ukraine

Patricia Fronek, Karen S Rotabi-Casares, Marina Lypovetska, 23 Nov 2023

This article focuses on The Taken Children of Ukraine during the first 6 months of the war and its implications for social workers engaged in work with children and their families.

Unheard Voices: The Living Reality of Unaccompanied Refugee Children in Jordan

Sara Ahmad Taha, Manal Anabtawi, 18 Nov 2023

This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of unaccompanied refugee children in Jordan and shed light on their unique challenges and needs.

Child Abuse and Neglect - The International Journal

2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy

European Commission, 08 Nov 2023

This report is the Commission’s first annual enlargement report on Ukraine replacing the previous annual Association Implementation Reports. To complement its opinion on the membership application, the Commission published the analytical report on the acquis alignment of Ukraine in February 2023.

Joint Statement on Protecting Children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel

Joint Statement, 20 Oct 2023

22 organisations are urging the EU to call for the respect of international humanitarian law and an immediate ceasefire by all parties as the number of children being killed continues to rise.

Enfants Déplacés par les Changements Climatiques: Se préparer à un avenir déjà en marche

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

Ainsi, le présent rapport analyse les aléas météorologiques les plus courants à l’origine de la majeure partie des déplacements, à savoir les inondations, les tempêtes, les sécheresses et les feux incontrôlés.

Niños y Niñas Desplazados Por el Cambio Climático Prepararse Para un Futuro Que ya Está Aquí

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

El informe analiza los peligros meteorológicos más comunes que provocan el mayor número de desplazamientos: inundaciones, tormentas, sequías e incendios forestales.

Children Displaced in a Changing Climate: Preparing for a future that’s already underway

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

‘Children displaced in a changing climate: Preparing for a future already underway’ analyses the most common weather-related hazards that lead to the largest number of displacements: floods, storms, droughts and wildfires.

Training of Trainers | Unaccompanied and Separated Children

The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, 30 Sep 2023

The Unaccompanied and Separated Children Training of Trainers (UASC TOT) course is designed to prepare participants to facilitate training on unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). This training reinforces participants’ understanding of the specific needs of UASC, highlight good practice in working with unaccompanied and separated children under a protection framework, and provide participants the opportunity to apply learning so they can roll out training on UASC within their own organisation and to other stakeholders.

Transforming Care: Individual Social Work in Post-Conflict Zones for Children and Youth

M.A. Suhel, Vinay Kumar, 15 Sep 2023

The article explores the notion of deinstitutionalization, emphasising its importance in post-conflict areas and emphasising the value of a personalised social work approach in promoting the welfare of children and young people impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war conflict.