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The experience children and young people who migrated from their homes in Afghanistan – especially those who have been forced to return – can be described as a spiral of harm and neglect. For many, poverty and a desire to help their families drives them from their homes. Far too often, the journey exposes them to harm and economic exploitation. Many are forced to return, where re-entry into Afghanistan communities brings discontentment.
These are among the findings of As They Move: Child and Youth Experiences of Migration, Displacement and Return in Afghanistan. This evidence-based…
The statistics show that children move in great numbers, and many do so alone. While some of the reasons which motivate them to undertake such journeys alone are similar to those of adults – e.g. wars, pursuing aspirations for better social and economic opportunities, ethnic violence, cultural differences, examples of others migrating – others are more specific to children, such as forced child marriages, lack of educational opportunities, forced conscription or being sent ahead to realize family reunification in another country. Similar to adult companions, they suffer and react to ‘…
This study seeks to improve understanding of the risks and types of sexual and gender-based violence faced by children who migrate on their own, as well as the unfortunate and widespread gaps in protection and assistance for these children. It looks closely at the situation in dangerous or remote locations – places that are fragile, conflict-ridden, underserved and hard to reach, where children may be particularly vulnerable.
The study also identifies actions that are urgently needed, by governments and humanitarian organizations, to better protect and assist children migrating on their…
Abstract
Unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) are the most vulnerable group of refugees suffering from higher levels of mental health problems. Yet, there is also a group of URM with little or no symptoms or disorders. A major predictor for positive mental health outcomes is the social support network in the post-flight period which has rarely been investigated for the group of URM. The present study analyzes differences between perceived social support from family, peers, and adult mentors in URM, with subgroup analyses of peer and mentor support in URM with and without family contact.…
Abstract
Objectives To examine the mental health of unaccompanied refugee minors prospectively during the asylum-seeking process, with a focus on specific stages in the asylum process, such as age assessment, placement in a supportive or non-supportive facility and final decision on the asylum applications.
Design This was a 2½ year follow-up study of unaccompanied minors (UM) seeking asylum in Norway. Data were collected within three weeks (n=138) and at 4 months (n=101), 15 months (n=84) and 26 months (n=69) after arrival.
Setting…
This report from UNICEF highlights the many dangers, risks, and challenges faced by unaccompanied refugee and migrant children travelling to Europe on their own to escape conflict, poverty, or other forms of oppression. The report lists key principles in protecting unaccompanied refugee and migrant children, outlines facts at a glance, and offers a brief description of the current crises in a number of countries, including Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, and Somalia. The report also shares the stories and voices of refugee children themselves.
Months after the Taliban’s return in Afghanistan, there are grave concerns about the state of the country, and in particular, the lives of children.
According to surveys by the World Food Programme, 95% of households are not consuming enough food. The economy is on the brink of collapse, further exacerbating the threat to the…
"A steady stream of men have fled Afghanistan for Australia," says this article from SBS News, "but despite being recognised as refugees and granted protection, they have since faced never-ending visa delays for their wives and children to be able to join them. Some have now been waiting, alone, for more than 10 years."
DailyMail.com reports Afghan migrant teen suicides are results of stricter asylum rules.
Dozens of children are seeking a judicial review in the UK High Court early next year.