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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Not Seen or Heard: The Lives of Separated Refugee Children in Dar es Salaam

Gillian Mann, 2003

A study on the lives of separated refugee children in Dar es Salaam. The study highlights their experiences of abuse and discrimination, and their negative perception of refugee camps.

Rights, Root Causes, and Recruitment: The Youth Factor in Africa's Armed Conflicts

Angela McIntyre, 2003

Documents ways in which youth are mobilized to support political and military agendas, and how the construct of youth has been employed for political change.

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The Care and Protection of Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Disasters

David K Tolfree, 2003

Overview of a research study which provides guidelines for care of separated children in large-scale emergencies, focusing on the negative impact of residential care, extended family care, spontaneous and agency fostering, adoption, and alternative placements for adolescents.

The Protection Survey

Simon Bagshaw and Diane Paul, 2003

Report of a field-based study of international protection for internally displaced persons. Presents conclusions and recommendations for policy.

Save the Children's Policy on Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Save the Children Alliance, 2003

A policy paper that presents a holistic view of child sexual abuse and exploitation examining all the situations where children are sexually abused.

Are Orphans Especially Vulnerable? Evidence from Rwanda

Corinne Siaens, K. Subbarao, and Quentin Wodon, 2003

This research paper explores the condition of orphaned children in Rwanda. The paper urges the design of appropriate social protection mechanisms, including differentiated policy responses, conditional cash transfers and increased access to education.

The Role of Education in Protecting Children in Conflict

Susan Nicolai and Carl Triplehom, 2003

Examines the link between education and the protection needs of children, with a particular focus on the role of education in emergency response.

Protecting Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Displacement: An Introductory Training Module

Action for the Rights of Children, 2003

Training module outlining key principles concerning the protection of children affected by armed conflict and displacement. Topics include legal frameworks, identifying protection issues, threats to children in emergencies, and promoting healthy child development.

Community-Based Reunification and Reintegration of Separated Children in Post-Conflict Rwanda

Brigette De Lay, 31 Dec 2002

Programmatic methodology and key steps for reintegrating institutionalized children back into the community in a post-conflict environment. Contains comprehensive assessment toolkit in document annex.

Adult Wars, Child Soldiers: Voices of Children Involved in Armed Conflict in the East Asia and Pacific Region

UNICEF, 2002

A qualitative evaluation of child soldiering in the East Asia and Pacific region based on accounts of current and former child soldiers. Includes comprehensive guidelines for interviewing children about their experiences with child soldiering.