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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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.

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.

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.

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.