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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A Model for Community-Based Care for Children: Nkundabana

CARE , 2006

A lessons learned document reviewing impacts of a community-based care and mentoring program for child-headed households in Rwanda.

UNHCR Guidelines on Formal Determinations of the Best Interests of the Child

UNHCR, 2006

Guidelines for when and how to make a decision regarding the best interests of the child in the case of emergencies. Includes useful information for addressing unaccompanied and separated children including, temporary and alternative care arrangements, tracing and reunification, and child participation.

Mozambique Child Solider Life Outcome Study: Lessons Learned in Rehabilitation and Reintegration Efforts

Neil Boothby, Jennifer Crawford, and Jason Halperin, 2006

Preliminary findings on life outcomes of Mozambican former child soldiers. Identifies specific interventions important to enabling former child soldiers’ recovery and reintegration.

Protecting Children in Emergencies

Save the Children, 2005

A twelve page policy brief that outlines Save the Children's position on the type of protection children need in an emergency. Contains some statistical information.

Promising Practices in Community-Based Social Services in CEE/CIS/Baltics

Rebecca T. Davis, 2005

Provides a framework for analysis of community-based social welfare services and linkages with government structures. Includes analysis of alternative care provision, de-institutionalization, programming for children with disabilities, standards of care, and overall social welfare sector reform.

Handbook on Psychosocial Assessment of Children and Communities in Emergencies

Regional Emergency Psychosocial Support Network, 2005

A guidebook focusing on the assessment to be conducted when an emergency first hits or just after a major event in an armed conflict. Outlines the preparation needs of an assessment team and describes what an assessment should concentrate on.

Demobilizing and Reintegrating Afghanistan's Young Soldiers: A Review and Assessment of Program Planning and Implementation

Vera Chrobok, 2005

Examines the planning, coordination, and early implementation of UNICEF’s programme to demobilize and reintegrate war-affected youth in the context of Afghanistan’s reconstruction process.

Guidelines for Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings: Focusing on Prevention of and Response to Sexual Violence in Emergencies

United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee, 2005

Comprehensive guidelines for dealing with the planning, establishment, and coordination of multisectoral interventions to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence.

Reaching All: Core Principles for Working with Children Associated with Armed Groups and Forces

Emma Visman, 2005

Outlines the critical issues for children associated with armed conflict. Includes recommended strategies for preventing child recruitment and promoting reintegration.

Transnational Fosterage of War-Affected Children in West Africa: Immediate Coping Capacities Across Borders

Susan Shepler, 2005

A research study conducted with refugee children from Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, and their foster caregivers in rural Guinea. Explores the experiences of both children and foster caregivers, and examines the role of ethnicity, gender and education. Highlights the significant capacity of a community to provide protection and care of refugee children, and offers recommendation for future research and programming.