More than half of the refugee population throughout the world is made up of children. Young people (from 15 to 24 years old) also make up a large portion of populations affected by forced displacement. Many children will spend their entire childhoods away from home, sometimes times separated from their families.

In situations of crisis and displacement, children and young persons are at risk of various forms of abuse, separation from their guardians, negligence, violence, exploitation, trafficking or military recruitment.

But children are incredibly resilient. By learning, playing and exploring their skills, they can find ways to cope, drawing strength from their families and communities.

Through the RSSN, at-risk children are able to access an essential package of quality services, which are in line with UNHCR and IASC protection principles.

• UNHCR, Child Protection Issue Briefs www.refworld.org/childprotectionissuebriefs.html
• UNHCR, A Framework for the Protection of Children, 26 June 2012, available at: www.refworld.org/docid/4fe875682.html
• UNHCR, Guidelines on Assessing and Determining the Best Interests of the Child, November 2018, available at: www.refworld.org/docid/5c18d7254.html
• UNHCR, Listen and Learn: Participatory Assessment with Children and Adolescents, July 2012, available at: www.refworld.org/docid/4fffe4af2.html
• UNHCR, Guidelines on International Protection No. 8: Child Asylum Claims under Articles 1(A)2 and 1(F) of the 1951 Convention and/or 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, 22 December 2009, HCR/GIP/09/08, available at: www.refworld.org/docid/4b2f4f6d2.html
• Inter-Agency, Inter-Agency Guiding Principles on Unaccompanied and Separated Children, January 2004, available at: www.refworld.org/docid/4113abc14.html
• Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Opinión Consultiva OC-21/14 de 19 de agosto de 2014. Derechos y garantías de niñas y niños en el contexto de la migración y/o en necesidad de protección internacional, OC-21/14, 19 August 2014, available at (only in Spanish): www.refworld.org.es/docid/54129da94.html
• Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Advisory Opinion OC-21/14, "Rights and Guarantees of Children in the Context of Migration and/or in Need of International Protection", OC-21/14, 19 August 2014, available at: www.refworld.org/cases,IACRTHR,54129c854.html