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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Update on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Figures in Ukraine: 18 March 2022

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

On 11 March 2022, the Protection Cluster released the first estimation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine since the military offensive started on 24th February. Estimates were based on a provisional methodology developed in consultation with OCHA, IOM, UNHCR and REACH.

Children Deprived of their Family Environment Due to the Armed Conflict in Ukraine: Cross-Border Protection and Intercountry Adoption

HCCH, 16 Mar 2022

This information note from the Hague Conference on Private International Law | Conférence de La Haye de droit international privé (HCCH) outlines the framework for the protection of children in emergency situations. It provides guidance on protecting children who are internationally displaced from Ukraine as well as intercountry adoption in armed conflict.

ОСНОВНІ СТАТИСТИЧНІ ДАНІ: НАЦІОНАЛЬНА ГАРЯЧА ЛІНІЯ З КОНСУЛЬТУВАННЯ МІГРАНТІВ ТА ПРОТИДІЇ ТОРГІВЛІ ЛЮДЬМИ 527 З ПОЧАТКУ ВІЙНИ

IOM, 16 Mar 2022

Протягом 24 лютого – 16 березня 2022 року через гарячу лінію було надано 12 083 консультацій у відповідь на 2 473 отриманих дзвінка.
Національна безкоштовна гаряча лінія з консультування мігрантів та протидії торгівлі людьми функціонує на базі неурядової організації “Відродження нації”. Гаряча лінія працює в межах Програми захисту і допомоги вразливим мігрантам Міжнародної організації з міграції (МОМ) в Україні за щедрої підтримки американського народу через проєкт Агентства США з міжнародного розвитку (USAID).

Guidance for Protecting Displaced and Refugee Children in and Outside of Ukraine

UNICEF, 11 Mar 2022

The war in Ukraine has displaced more than 2 million people as they flee their country to find refuge. Roughly half of those displaced are children. Among them, many are unaccompanied or have been separated from their families. Children on the move in and outside of Ukraine are at heightened risk of violence, exploitation and abuse. This guidance, produced by the UNICEF team, outlines how authorities and aid workers can help keep children displaced by the war in Ukraine safe from trafficking and other forms of exploitation and abuse.

UNICEF guidance on displaced children in Ukraine

Ukraine Response Protection Snapshot: 6 - 9 March 2022

Protection Cluster Ukraine, 09 Mar 2022

The Protection Cluster coordinates the protection response and advocates for the improvement of policies and legislation affecting conflict-affected people. It also engages in capacity building and provides guidance on mainstreaming protection into all humanitarian response activities. This is the Protection snapshot for Ukraine for the period 6 - 9 March 2022, compiled by Protection Cluster Ukraine.

CИТУАЦІЯ З ПЕРЕМІЩЕННЯМ В УКРАЇНІ: ОГЛЯД У СФЕРІ ЗАХИСТУ: 6-9 березня 2022

Protection Cluster Ukraine, 09 Mar 2022

Кластер захисту координує заходи захисту та виступає за вдосконалення політики та законодавства, що стосуються людей, які постраждали від конфлікту. Він також займається розбудовою потенціалу та надає рекомендації щодо включення захисту у всі заходи гуманітарного реагування. Це знімок захисту для України за період з 6 по 9 березня 2022 року, складений Protection Cluster Ukraine.

Ukraine Response Protection Snapshot: 2 - 5 March, 2022

Protection Cluster Ukraine, 05 Mar 2022

The Protection Cluster coordinates the protection response and advocates for the improvement of policies and legislation affecting conflict-affected people. It also engages in capacity building and provides guidance on mainstreaming protection into all humanitarian response activities. This is the Protection snapshot for Ukraine for the period 2 - 5 March 2022, compiled by Protection Cluster Ukraine. The Protection Cluster is led by UNHCR and includes Child Protection (led by UNICEF), GBV (led by UNFPA) and Mine Action (led by UNDP) Sub Clusters.

ФАКТОРЫ РИСКА, КОТОРЫЕ НЕОБХОДИМО УЧИТЫВАТЬ ПРИ ПЕРЕВОЗКЕ ДЕТЕЙ ВО ВРЕМЯ ГУМАНИТАРНОГО КРИЗИСА

Changing the Way We Care, 04 Mar 2022

Данное руководство составлено для поставщиков услуг, которые работают с детьми, семьями и разлученными детьми в ответ на текущую гуманитарную ситуацию в Украине и в соседних странах.

Critical Considerations for Movement of Children During a Humanitarian Crisis

Changing the Way We Care, 04 Mar 2022

This guidance has been compiled for service providers who are working with children, families, and separated children in response to the current humanitarian situation in Ukraine and surrounding countries.

Informații De Importanță Majoră Cu Privire La Relocarea Copiilor În Timpul Unei Crize Umanitare

Changing the Way We Care, 04 Mar 2022

Acest ghid a fost elaborat pentru furnizorii de servicii care lucrează cu copiii, familiile și copiii separați, în contextul situației umanitare actuale din Ucraina și din țările învecinate.