Throughout history, war has exacted an unacceptable toll on children and youth. Today, some 30 armed conflicts rage around the world, with children and youth suffering disproportionately.  In the violence of war, children are murdered and wounded. They are abducted, used as soldiers, suffer sexual abuse and risk life threatening illness.  They lose parents, friends and communities in conflict and during mass flight. Young people are compelled to take on adult roles, protecting and providing for younger children. Children lose opportunities to learn, and are denied the structure, stability and predictability they need to develop their potential. They ultimately lose their sense of trust and hope for the future.

Currently 20 million children and adolescents are uprooted from their homes either as refugees or internally displaced persons. In order to respond to this, the International Rescue Committee promotes the protection and development of children and youth, from the earliest stages of an emergency, through post-conflict and recovery.

In over 20 countries, the IRC’s community-based, participatory and holistic children and youth programs include:

• Formal and non-formal education
• Registration, emergency care, tracing and family reunification of separated children
• Interim care, rehabilitation and community reintegration of former child soldiers
• Psychosocial care and protection
• Life skills, recreational and cultural activities, economic and leadership development for youth

Building on over 70 years of experience, IRC’s programs help protect and nurture 350,000 young people in over 20 countries worldwide, including: Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, Chechnya/Ingushetia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Indonesia, Ivory Coast,  Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, North, South and West Sudan, Thailand, Tanzania and Uganda.

Learn more here (link to CYPD Factsheet) or contact us at children@theIRC.org