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Children on the move
As of January 2016, an estimated 30 million children are on the move, both within and between countries, with or without their parents. They are part of large-scale population movements currently taking place in many parts of the world.
Children on the move are those children moving for a variety of reasons, voluntary or involuntary within or between countries, with or without their parents or other primary caregivers, and whose movement might place them at risk (or at an increased risk) of inadequate care, economic or sexual exploitation, abuse, neglect or violence.
Children on the move is an umbrella term that brings together a series of categories of children to highlight their common protection needs, including, children who have been trafficked, children who migrate (e.g. to pursue better life opportunities, to look for work or education or to escape exploitative or abusive situations at home, or because of other protection needs), children displaced by conflict and natural disasters and children who live and work in the streets.
Movement can help children and their families improve their living standards and life opportunities. However, children do not always benefit from such potentials. Child protection policies and interventions should refocus to place the protection of the child at the centre as well as the need to support the positive aspects of mobility.
Save the Children’s goal is that all children, including those on the move and in emergencies, have appropriate care either from their own families or community-based alternatives.
Photo: Pedro Armestre/Save the Children
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Children Come First, Intervento in Frontiera: Dossier III
The general objective of the project "Children Come First: Intervention at the border" is to strengthen the system of protection and reception of migrant children arriving in Italy, whether they are separated or accompanied by their parents. As part of th
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Children and Migration in Albania: Latest trends and protection measures available
Terres the Hommes has been working in Albania to support the reintegration of families returning from migration and to stop unsafe migration through dangerous routes as part of their Global Migration Policy. This report undertakes a situational analysis o
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Children Come First, Intervento in Frontiera: Dossier II
The general objective of the project "Children Come First: Intervention at the border" is to strengthen the system of protection and reception of migrant children arriving in Italy, whether they are separated or accompanied by their parents. As part of th
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Out of Sight, Exploited and Alone
This advocacy brief is a joint effort by 12 national and international humanitarian agencies responding to the needs of Unaccompanied or Separated Children (UASC) stranded in or on the move throughout the Balkans, specifically Bulgaria, the Former Yugosla
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Destination Unknown Institutional Learning Report 2017
In 2010, children on the move were literally non-existent in policies on children’s rights. Not being an organisation specialised in migration, TDH developed a new partnership strategy and launched the Destination Unknown campaign (DU campaign) for the pr
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The Way Forward to Strengthened Policies and Practices for Unaccompanied and Separated Children in Europe
Regional and national laws in Europe provide a solid framework for child protection, based on international standards. However these laws have not systematically translated into a positive impact on the wellbeing of refugee and migrant children. Instead,
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Balkans Migration and Displacement Hub Data and Trends Analysis: Iraqis transitioning through the Balkans route (September-November 2017)
An increase in refugees and migrants from Iraq has been registered traveling the Balkans migration route for the period of September to November 2017. Relevant data for this period (number of children, unaccompanied and separated children, demography) are
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Balkans Migration and Displacement Hub Data and Trends Analysis: Regional overview (January-August 2017)
More than 10,000 refugees and migrants are currently present in the Balkans countries (other than Greece). The number of refugees and migrants transiting through the Balkans has decreased since the conclusion of the EU-Turkey Deal, however, the movement o
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#Fearless- campaigning for children on the move
In a time where the refugee crisis went from public outrage to fear. In a time where Swedish politicians decided to go from openness to a ”European minimum” in live tv. In a time where bombs were killing children in Syria, while Sweden and Europe chose to
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Youth on the Move: Investigating decision-making, migration trajectories and expectations of young people on the way to Italy
Since March 2016, more than 260,000 people have arrived on Italian shores. The majority of them are young people, with unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) accounting for up to 15% of all arrivals. In order to strengthen policymakers’ and humanitar
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A Child is a Child: Protecting children on the move from violence, abuse and exploitation
Due to the few opportunities for legal movement and migration, many of the children who are move alone are forced to rely on smugglers, putting them at risk for hazardous and exploitative situations. Traffickers and other exploitative persons thrive espec
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No Place to Call Home: Protecting children's rights when the changing climate forces them to flee
Children affected by climate change are vulnerable to a range of heightened risks, notably those that result from displacement and migration. Separation, exploitation, and limited access to health and education services are some of the many challenges and