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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Child Poverty and Deprivation in Refugee-Hosting Areas: Evidence from Uganda

Cardiff University and UNICEF, 2018

This study assessed child poverty, deprivation and social service delivery in refugee and host communities in selected districts in the country’s three major refugee-hosting areas: West Nile, a sub-region of Northern region that borders South Sudan; the country’s South West, which borders the DRC and Rwanda; and the capital, Kampala.

Care for Unaccompanied Children in Croatia: The Roles and Experiences of Special Guardians

Drago Župarić-Iljić & Dubravka Mlinarić - Revija Za Sociologiju, 2018

Special guardians have been tasked with safeguarding the rights of unaccompanied minors in Croatia and providing general assistance within the system of care during their stay and/or during the status recognition procedure. The authors of this study discussed the experiences of practitioners in the field and some of the most important challenges they are facing within the special guardianship system.

Separación Traumática, Niños Migrantes y Refugiados: Consejos para Padres, Cuidadores Primarios y Proveedores

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2018

Este recurso proporciona consejos para los cuidadores y otros para ayudar a abordar las necesidades de los niños inmigrantes y refugiados que han experimentado la separación traumática.

Promoting the Social Inclusion of Migrant Children and Young People: The duty of social services

Valentina Guerra, David Brindle - The European Social Network, 2018

This report aims to address some common and key themes emerging from a questionnaire and in-person meeting to discuss the role of the social service workforce in the inclusion of migrant children and young people.

Mutual Benefits: The Lessons Learned from a Community-Based Participatory Research Project with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and Foster Carers

Justin Rogers, Sam Carr, Caroline Hickman - Children and Youth Services Review, 2018

This paper presents a community based participatory research project, which adopted a photovoice approach with seven unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) living in foster care in the United Kingdom.

Radicalisation: The Last Taboo in Safeguarding and Child Protection? Assessing Practitioner Preparedness in Preventing the Radicalisation of Looked-After Children

Matt Dryden - Journal for Deradicalization, 29 Dec 2017

This research collected rare and vital primary data by interviewing practitioners within looked-after children’s, residential, and respite services. The study established that practitioners lacked basic awareness of radicalisation and extremism, the Prevent strategy, and the Channel programme.

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Foster parents exposed to political violence: The role of social support in addressing emotional and functional difficulties

Ohad Gilbar, Rami Benbenishty, Miriam Schiff, Rachel Dekel - Children and Youth Services Review, 24 Dec 2017

The first goal of this study was to describe posttraumatic symptoms (PTS) and problems in functioning among foster parents following their exposure to the war.

Innocenti Research Digest on Adolescence

Innocenti, 01 Dec 2017

This research digest is the 8th in the series on adolescence. This edition focuses on protection from violence, health and development & learning.

Transitioning to a Government-Run Refugee and Migrant Response in Greece

Inter-Agency Group, 01 Dec 2017

This report presents a joint NGO roadmap for more fair and humane policies for refugee and migrant youth in Greece.

Beyond Borders: How to make the global compacts on migration and refugees work for uprooted children

UNICEF, 01 Dec 2017

This report highlights initiatives underway that work towards addressing the care and protection of refugee, migrant and displaced children – initiatives that can be replicated around the world.