Global child migration numbers By the end of 2020, an estimated 35 million (42%) of the 82.4 million displaced persons were under 18 years of age.
COMMITMENT TO MINOR MIGRANTS AND CHILDREN ON THE MOVE
The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in displacement and migration resulting from conflicts, violence, and natural disasters. Children along migration routes are exposed to important protection risks, such as exploitation and child trafficking. They have special needs that are to be recognised and met - yet migrant children are often invisible as a group even though they can constitute up to 50% of a displaced population.
Born on the move From 2018 to 2020, on average between 290,000 and 340,000 children per year were born as refugees.
We operate flexible and agile In order to adequately respond to the protection needs of migrant children, we are becoming more agile in how we operate (e.g. adjusting to changing routes and evolving political environments) simultaneously in the countries of origin, transit and destination.
Why do children leave their home?
Reasons for children to migrate can be many: conflict, poverty, climate change, lack of access to basic services, persecution and discrimination in country of origin or transit. Being on the move is dangerous and unsafe, especially for minors. While often unaccompanied, they may stay temporarily in cities or at country borders, and may engage in movements presenting serious hazards for their safety and security. Learn more in our Migration Information Centre.
What are the risks for migrating children or children on the move?
Often, they are exposed to risks such as family separation, trafficking, child marriage, lack of access to basic services and psychological distress. Those risks are even greater for unaccompanied and separated children lacking direct protection from siblings or parents. Depending for example on their age, nationality, ethnicity, religion or the specifics of their family situations, the needs of migrant children can vary greatly. In their journey, girls and boys are also exposed to different risks ranging from sexual and gender-based violence to child labour.
The existing challenges of addressing complex, cross-border, rapidly-evolving migration phenomena require humanitarian and development actors to develop new intervention logics and approaches. In order to adequately respond to the protection needs of migrant children, we are becoming more agile in how we operate (e.g. adjusting to changing routes and evolving political environments) simultaneously in the countries of origin, transit and destination. Learn more in our Migration Information Centre.
Migration in East Africa:
International and cross-border migration movements present serious risks for child safety and security with many children exposed to important protection issues when crossing borders and during their journeys. Children on the move in East Africa come mainly from Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. Along the East Africa migration route up to Egypt or Libya (and potentially toward Europe), we are starting to implement a ten-year regional project in Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt – learn more.
What are the needs of migrating children upon arrival?
When migrating children reach their destination or children on the move find shelter in a safe place, their needs are not automatically fulfilled. They face various challenges as they find their way in their new environment. For instance, some children need support to deal with past traumatic experiences. Unaccompanied minors in particular are dependent on the help of professionals who address their needs and support them in processes such as the asylum proceedings. Sustainable solutions are also needed for children returning home to ensure successful reintegration. Learn more in our Migration Information Centre.
Destination Switzerland:
With our projects in Switzerland we support asylum centres in providing children and teenagers with spaces where they are protected, where they can play and where they are nurtured as children should be. We guide and advise asylum centres throughout Switzerland in offering child-friendly activities on a regular basis, implementing child-protection measures and strengthening parents in their role as educators. For professionals and volunteers in the field of asylum and migration, we have created an additional page (DE) with in-depth information on our services and the circumstances of refugee children and families.
Migration projects in focus
We help when children need us most
We do everything we can to ensure that the world's most disadvantaged children grow up healthy, learn and are protected. Every donation counts and is used where help is needed most urgently.