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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Struggling to Survive: The Situation of Asylum Seekers in Tapachula, Mexico, June 2022

WOLA, 02 Jun 2022

This report follows the route of asylum seekers arriving in Tapachula. It draws on a March 2022 visit during which the researchers conducted field documentation and interviews with asylum seekers, government officials, UN agencies, and civil society organizations providing services to migrants. The report highlights abuses, arbitrary treatment, and steep obstacles faced by asylum seekers at each step of their process.

Ghid de Facilitare - Primul Ajutor Psihologic Pentru Familiile APP

Catholic Relief Services, 01 Jun 2022

Această instruire a fost concepută pentru asistenții sociali din Moldova care lucrează cu asistenții parentali profesioniști care au în plasament copii și adolescenți neînsoțiți și separați, veniți aici din cauza crizei din Ucraina.

Preventing Human Trafficking of Refugees from Ukraine: A Rapid Assessment of Risks and Gaps in the Anti-Trafficking Response

Suzanne Hoff, Eefje de Volder, 10 May 2022

This report aims to provide a rapid assessment of the risks of trafficking and exploitation created by the war in Ukraine and the gaps in the current anti-trafficking response, in order to identify what needs to be done now to reduce and prevent trafficking before it is too late. This rapid assessment is based on desktop research; interviews/discussions with organisations, experts and participants in the anti-trafficking response including volunteers, translators, refugees, and displaced people; and a field visit to Poland.

The 10-Point Plan: For Stronger European Coordination on Welcoming People Fleeing the War From Ukraine

European Commission, 10 May 2022

The European Commission has proposed a “10-Point Plan for stronger European coordination on welcoming people fleeing the war from Ukraine” (endorsed by the European Parliament and the Council) that includes: creation of an EU platform for registration; an EU level coordinated approach for transport and information hubs; and a call to enhance reception systems and ensure continuity of care and suitable accommodation, among others.

Latinx Adolescent Migrant Challenges in Reuniting with Family Members

Rita Chi-Ying Chung, Fred Bemak, Ricardo O. Sánchez, 06 May 2022

This study provides an overview of the family reunification process of Latinx adolescents who have migrated to join their families in the United States.

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Impact of Parental Migration on Education and Behavioural Outcomes of Children Left Behind in Southern Wollo

Getnet Tesfaw, Abebaw Minaye, 01 May 2022

The migration of parents is believed to be for the sake of children and families left behind. However, its impact on children left behind has been overlooked in Southern Wollo, Ethioipia. The impact of parental migration on the education and behavioral outcomes of children left behind has to be investigated in the migration-prone area. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the migration of parent(s) on the education and behavioral outcomes of children left behind.

Internalizing Behavior Problems Among the Left-Behind Children of the Hui Nationality in Rural China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Yu X, Wang LL, Liu MM, Li QL, Dai XY, Li LG, 12 Apr 2022

The internalizing behavior problems (IBPs) of left-behind children (LBC) due to parental migration are a widespread public health concern in China. A previous study showed that the detection rate of behavioral problems in the Hui was far higher than in the LBC of the Han nationality. However, to date, limited research has focused on IBPs in Chinese LBC of the Hui nationality. The aims of this present study are to explore the prevalence of IBPs and the influencing factors among the Hui LBC in the rural areas of China.

Webinar Recording: Using Data to Ensure the Safety and Recovery of Internally Displaced and Refugee Ukrainian Children

International Data Alliance for Children on the Move (IDAC) , 11 Apr 2022

The International Data Alliance for Children on the Move (IDAC) held this webinar on April 11, 2022, to discuss the need for concrete data and information crucially needed to support affected children inside and outside Ukraine. Representatives of countries directly affected by the Ukrainian crisis as well as key partners on the ground shared their insights.

Update on Internally Displaced People Figures in Ukraine: 5 April 2022

IOM, 05 Apr 2022

The latest round of IOM’s survey was completed and presented on 5 April, leading to the updated population figure of 7.1 million IDPs in Ukraine (10% increase compared to the previous round). The second round also observed an increase of IDPs coming from Northern areas (Sumy, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv) and Kyiv.

Інформаційна довідка щодо ситуації із ВПО в Україні 5 квітня 2022 року

IOM, 05 Apr 2022

Останній раунд дослідження, яке провела МОМ, був завершений, а його результати презентовані 5 квітня, унаслідок чого вдалося оновити дані щодо кількості ВПО в Україні, яка нині становить 7,1 мільйона осіб (на 10% більше порівняно з попередньою цифрою). Цей раунд опитування також продемонстрував зростання кількості ВПО з числа мешканців Півночі (Суми, Житомир, Чернігів) та Києва.