Children on the move in East Jakarta, Indonesia

The movement of children is inevitable as they or their families seek social, educational, and economic opportunities, safety, or a fresh start. Looking at these children as a group allows the collection of data and the creation of strategies to address their needs and vulnerabilities in their places of origin, while in transit, and at their destinations. Although children on the move are a diverse sub-set of all children, examining their assets and needs collectively can highlight common challenges and risks, as well as identifying particularly vulnerable groups that may warrant special attention. The Mobile Assessment Tool (MAT) can assist in the documentation of these risks and vulnerabilities by exploring the needs and coping strategies of children along their routes of travel. In particular, collecting information about the journey itself will contribute to a knowledge base about the responses and programs that are appropriate for protecting children during and after transit.