Children and Migration

Millions of children around the world are affected by migration. This includes girls and boys who migrate within and between countries (usually with their families but sometimes on their own), as well as children ‘left behind’ when their parents or caregivers migrate in search of economic opportunities. Be it forced or voluntary, by adults or children, migration affects children’s care situations and can entail risks to their protection.

Children on the move: Like adults, children often migrate in an attempt to build a better life – to escape poverty, discrimination or conflict, and to find education, employment and other opportunities. Others relocate due to an unstable or difficult family environment, such as the loss of a parent, or neglect or abuse from a caregiver. Children may migrate with or without their families, and their movements may be temporary, seasonal or permanent.

While migration can open up new opportunities for children, it can also expose them to harmful care situations, chronic poverty, violence and exploitation. During transit and at their destination, migrant children may end up in unsafe institutions, detention centres, on the streets or in overcrowded, poor-quality accommodation. Others who migrate to join households (e.g. for fostering, education, domestic work or apprenticeships) may be subjected to exploitation. Many migrant children, particularly those without documentation, end up without access to education, protection or basic services, while discrimination and language barriers make it difficult for them to reintegrate into new communities.

Children left behind. An increasing number of children around the world are also adversely affected when migrating parents leave home to seek out employment or economic opportunities (often in urban centres). While children may gain materially from remittances sent home, the absence of a parent may be detrimental to their social and psychological development. In particular, the nature and quality of children’s care relationships may suffer as they adjust to life without a loved caregiver and try to replace a physically and emotionally nurturing relationship with someone new.

Studies from around the world indicate that children left behind by migrating caretakers face education, health and psychosocial problems, including deteriorating academic performance and lower school attendance, greater risk of drug abuse, early pregnancy, involvement in criminal activities and social dysfunction. Left behind children may suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of abandonment, and in the worst cases may be vulnerable to violence, abuse and trafficking. While new or remaining caretakers can offer children a protective and caring environment they may also struggle to care for them without support, and breakdown of these relationships can sometimes result in children’s placement in harmful institutional care.

The documents in this section focus on the impact of migration on children’s care situations, and outline policy, advocacy and programmatic measures to enhance child migrants’ protection.

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Protection Risks for Rohingya Women and Children: From Departure Country to Arrival in Malaysia

Mixed Migration Centre, 31 Mar 2022

Despite high risks en route and upon arrival, Rohingya movement to Malaysia continues. This snapshot focuses on the specific risks facing Rohingya women and children before leaving Myanmar or Bangladesh, during their journey, and upon arrival in Malaysia. MMC Asia has been conducting survey with Rohingya in Malaysia since January 2019 in order to better understand their migration experiences. This snapshot contributes to building a solid evidence base to inform targeted responses that improve protection for Rohingya refugees and inform advocacy efforts related to movements to Malaysia.

Operational Guidance: Negotiating and Implementing Handover Protocols for the Transfer of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups

The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, 31 Mar 2022

A joint endeavor of Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, the Alliance, and its CAAFAG Task Force, the operational guidance aims to support the signing and implementation of handover protocols. It provides child protection actors with good practices, lessons learned, and other useful information on previous and ongoing negotiations and implementation processes in various countries.

Note on Unaccompanied Children Fleeing From Ukraine

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), Child Circle , 31 Mar 2022

This briefing paper focuses on responses in the European Union (EU) to the arrival of unaccompanied children fleeing from Ukraine.

Ukraine Emergency in Neighboring Countries “BLUE DOTS”- Children and Family Support Hubs

UNHCR, UNICEF, 29 Mar 2022

This note is designed to guide UNICEF and UNHCR teams on how to integrate the Blue Dot concept into a joint operational modality, clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of each agency, and recommending operational modalities to further expand and integrate these into the national response. Blue Dots are established in support of government efforts and links directly to the national child protection architecture.

Handbook on the Crossing of the State Border by Children, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Accompanying them in a State of Emergency or Martial Law

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, 21 Mar 2022

This handbook was prepared by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine with the support of the project "Support to Government Reforms in Ukraine" (SURGe), in accordance with the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 27.01.1995 No. 57 "On approval of the rules of crossing the state border by citizens of Ukraine" (as amended by the Cabinet of Ministers of 12.03.2022 No. 264). It outlines practical guidelines for Ukraine citizens when crossing the State border of Ukraine.

Handbook on the Crossing of the State Border by Children, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Accompanying them in a State of Emergency or Martial Law (Ukrainian)

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, 21 Mar 2022

Цей запис підготовлено Міністерством соціальної політики України за підтримки проекту «Підтримка державних реформ в Україні» (SURGe), відповідно до постанови Кабінету Міністрів України від 27.01.1995 р. № 57». Про затвердження Правил перетину державного кордону громадянами України» (в редакції постанови КМУ від 12.03.2022 р. № 264). У ньому викладено практичні рекомендації для громадян України при перетині державного кордону України.

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine: About 5,000 Children from Vulnerable Categories Being Brought up in Institutional Care Facilities Were Evacuated

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, 19 Mar 2022

The Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, Maryna Lazebna, said that as of 19 March 2022, 4,894 children from 179 institutions of institutional care have been evacuated. Of these, 2,522 children were relocated withinUkraine, and 2,372 children from 116 institutions were relocated abroad.

Ukraine Situation Flash Update #4

UNHCR, 18 Mar 2022

The Russian Federation launched a military offensive against Ukraine on 24 February 2022. In three weeks, more than 3.2 million refugees have been forced to flee Ukraine, while an additional 6.5 million people have been displaced internally within the country. Over 12 million people have been affected in the areas hardest hit by the war within Ukraine. In these weekly updates, the UNHCR continues to call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, respect for international humanitarian law, and appealed to neighbouring countries to continue keeping their borders open to those fleeing.

Оновлення щодо кількості ВПО в Україні 18 березня 2022

Protection Cluster Ukraine, IOM, REACH, UNHCR, OCHA, 18 Mar 2022

11 березня 2022 року Кластер захисту оприлюднив першу оцінку внутрішньо переміщених осіб (ВПО) в Україні від початку військового наступу 24 лютого. Оцінки були засновані на попередній методології, розробленій у консультації з OCHA, МОМ, УВКБ ООН та REACH. У зв’язку з відсутністю достовірних джерел даних про ВПО на той момент, і в той час як урядова централізована система реєстрації не застосовувалася, Кластер втрутився, щоб забезпечити доведення до відома міжнародної спільноти попередньо оцінених масштабів внутрішнього переміщення в Україні.

A Training in Psychological First Aid for Foster Carers of Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

Catholic Relief Services, 18 Mar 2022

This rapid training was designed to provide information to Moldovan foster families in preparation for fostering unaccompanied and separated children from the Ukraine. The training package includes a PPT and facilitator’s guide. Content provided during the six-hour training program includes basic information on childhood trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences, key elements of PFA including Look, Listen and Link, and understanding how to both identify and support children who have lived through trauma and how it might manifest at different ages and stages of development.