Running Towards Hope

Globally, an estimated 50 million children have migrated across borders or been forcibly displaced. No matter their country of destination, these children face a variety of rights violations, from exploitation and violence to being separated from their families or caregivers and deprived of essential protections and services. These abuses constitute a grave human rights crisis. This is the case for the children of South Sudan who fled their country to Uganda in search of safety and peace.

More than 1 million South Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict, drought and hunger currently live in Uganda’s West Nile Region. Over 60 per cent are children. Many of them have been separated from their families or caregivers. A reported 700 South Sudanese refugees have arrived daily in Uganda over the past year. This is a child protection crisis.

World Vision is working with partners to strengthen community-based child protection systems for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), including through case management. Vulnerable children on the move face significant risks as they arrive and settle in Uganda. Based on its experience, World Vision believes there is an urgent need to ensure that a community-based child protection system is strengthened and effective in Uganda’s West Nile Region to protect children from violence and exploitation, especially children who have been separated from their families and caregivers.

This practice brief highlights some of the difficulties encountered by children on the move and by child protection agencies. Particular attention is paid to the challenges children face on arrival and in the settlements, but this brief also addresses challenges with alternative care, safety and child protection mainstreaming. Finally, specific recommendations for aid agencies, donors and local and national government seek to pave the way forward to ensure that children are protected continually.