Prioritise child safety in humanitarian operations
What you need to know:
- As funding cuts threaten these fundamental rights, we must act decisively to prevent vulnerable children from being abandoned to abuse and exploitation. The time to act is now.
The global humanitarian landscape is facing unprecedented challenges, with funding cuts severely impacting the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly children. Recent reports indicate that humanitarian organizations in refugee settlements are experiencing a significant reduction in funding. This shortfall is leading to the suspension of critical projects and dismissal of thousands of experienced staff, significantly undermining support systems for displaced populations.
Globally, an estimated one billion children experience violence each year, according to UNICEF. In humanitarian settings, the risk is even more severe, as child protection systems are often overstretched. Alarmingly, abusers sometimes infiltrate trusted humanitarian organizations, using crises as opportunities to target vulnerable children. At the same time, service closures and staff layoffs due to funding shortages create critical gaps in child safeguarding, leaving children unprotected and at the mercy of perpetrators.
According to figures from the Office of Prime Minister and UNHCR, the UN refugee Agency, as of 28 February 2025, Uganda had 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. Over 60 percent of these refugees and asylum seekers are children, many of whom have fled war, persecution, or natural disasters from neighbouring countries. While Uganda has been lauded for its progressive refugee policies, child protection remains a significant challenge, especially in settlements where services are underfunded, and resources are stretched thin.
For instance, in Bidibidi and Kiryandongo refugee settlements, adolescent girls face significant challenges, including a high incidence of early pregnancies. A study on adolescent sexual behavior in Bidibidi revealed that 31 percent of female adolescents reported having been pregnant at least once. Additionally, girls in these settlements are exposed to various forms of abuse, sexual exploitation, and lack of parental support, increasing their vulnerability. These risks are currently worsened by the growing funding gaps, which have threatened essential child protection services, including psychosocial support, community-based safeguarding mechanisms, and school-based protection programs.
Now, more than ever, child safeguarding must be a priority in humanitarian responses. Governments, donors, humanitarian agencies, and communities must work together to ensure continued investment in child protection services, even in the face of funding constraints.
Strengthening safeguarding policies within humanitarian organizations is critical to preventing abuse from within. Organizations like Windle International Uganda have trained teachers and community leaders to identify and report child protection concerns while also expanding psychosocial support services to create safe spaces for both refugee and host community children in refugee hosting schools.
Every child deserves safety, dignity, and protection; regardless of their circumstances.
As funding cuts threaten these fundamental rights, we must act decisively to prevent vulnerable children from being abandoned to abuse and exploitation. The time to act is now.
Muhamood Kimera, Program Manager, Windle International Uganda.
