Unprotected: Crisis in humanitarian funding for child protection

All children have a fundamental right to protection, but the needs of children in emergencies are far from being met. In 2018, almost 50 million children were in need of protection in humanitarian settings. Yet child protection isn’t systematically prioritised when a humanitarian response is being mobilised, and it remains both underfunded and untimely where children’s lives are at risk. During a crisis, children are among the most vulnerable, exposed to life-threatening risks, extreme violence, abuse, physical and sexual exploitation, abduction or military recruitment. Child protection programmes are essential for preventing violence against children, facilitating family tracing and reunification, and ensure proper and timely referrals of children in need of assistance in terms of healthcare, food, education, shelter and psycho-social support.

Building on the 2011 Too little too late report on funding for child protection in emergencies and based on data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Financial Tracking Service (UN OCHA FTS), this desk review provides a picture of funding for the child protection sector over the period 2010–2018.