Every day, children are forced to flee conflict alone

The world’s wars and disasters are causing unimaginable suffering to the most vulnerable amongst us: children.

In the conflict and upheaval that forces families to leave their homes, thousands of children become separated from their parents or lose them to violence. They are left with no choice but to endure long journeys to safety on their own.

With no one to care for them, they struggle to find shelter, food and water. Refugee children, particularly girls, are at a greater risk of gender-based violence. Their education is halted and they’re confronted with the trauma of losing their families and everything they ever loved.

Alone, they risk slipping through the cracks.

It was late at night when Anna heard the sound of machine guns and screaming. Everyone ran for their lives but in the chaos and darkness, she lost her parents. She was only 12 years old. Help us care for refugee children like Anna  

When they screamed 'RUN', Anna ran

When John's village was attacked he lost his parents and two younger brothers in the chaos. He was only 13 years old. Scared and alone, John ran and ran and ran – travelling 560 miles from his home in South Sudan until he reached a UNHCR camp in Ethiopia's Gambella region. During his journey to safety, John faced the constant threat of violence and without his parents he was incredibly vulnerable to trafficking, abuse and sexual exploitation. He arrived to our camp traumatised, weak from hunger and in desperate need of protection. Will you help protect children like John who have been separated from or lost their parents? Help show refugee children they are not alone  

No child should be left alone

Mmone Moletsane, a UNHCR Child Protection Officer, who works tirelessly to ensure the safety and protection of unaccompanied children in Ethiopia's Gambella region. With the support of dedicated colleagues like Mmone, UNHCR is working to protect unaccompanied refugee children from South Sudan and other conflict-affected countries such as Syria, Venezuela and Myanmar. We are working to: Quickly identify unaccompanied children during an emergency Provide them with shelter, food, water and medical care Shield them from child marriage, trafficking and exploitation Reunite them with family members or find foster families Rebuild children's lives through psychosocial support in child-friendly spaces But most importantly we're helping orphaned or unaccompanied children meet other children, play games and remember what it's like to be a child again. Help show refugee children they are not alone  

Voices from the field: Meet Mmone

UNHCR is working tirelessly to protect unaccompanied refugee children from South Sudan and other conflict-affected countries such as Syria, Venezuela and Myanmar.

We are working to:

Quickly identify unaccompanied children during an emergency
Provide them with shelter, food, water and medical care
Shield them from child marriage, trafficking and exploitation
Reunite them with family members or find foster families
Rebuild children’s lives through psychosocial support in child-friendly spaces

But most importantly we’re helping orphaned or unaccompanied children meet other children, play games and remember what it’s like to be a child again.

Help us care for lost or orphaned refugee children