Children & Adolescents

Children (boys and girls under age 18) require specialized support to address specific needs and risks they face due to their age. Programmes for children should ensure access to appropriate services and support in the child’s best interests.

Risks to Children

Children may face risks to their safety and wellbeing, including but not limited to:

  • Lack of access to documentation
  • Separation from their parents and caregivers
    before or during flight or while in displacement
  • Sexual violence and exploitation. Girls are
    usually particularly affected by sexual violence, but boys are also at risk and
    affected
  • Mental disorders and psychosocial distress
  • Recruitment by armed forces and armed groups
  • Trafficking and smuggling
  • Physical violence and harmful practices,
    including in the home
  • Child labour
  • Detention

UNHCR CAN NO LONGER PROVIDE PARALLEL SERVICES FOR CHILD PROTECTION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH NGOs.

For years, UNHCR and its partners have provided specialized child protection services to refugees and asylum-seekers in Iraq.

UNHCR initially envisaged gradually phasing out from these parallel protection services for refugees and asylum seekers over a few years, by enhancing their access to public services.

Due to current funding constraints seriously affecting UNHCR globally but also in Iraq, UNHCR is compelled to accelerate the phase out by the end of June 2025 from the parallel services for child protection services both inside and outside of camps, that had been provided through partnerships with NGOs.

For children and families currently receiving child protection services through UNHCR partners: All child protection services delivered by UNHCR partners will conclude by 30 June 2025.

MOVING FORWARD

  • The government has the primary responsibility for your safety and protection, and we will continue to work closely with relevant national and local authorities for refugees and asylum seekers to have access to the existing services.
  • Iraq has shown remarkable generosity in hosting refugees and asylum seekers, granting them access to documentation issued by authorities and access to public health services, and public education.
  • UNHCR remains committed to advocating for refugees and asylum-seekers to have access to the same level of access to protection services as the host population

WHERE TO SEEK HELP

  • While UNHCR’s direct services through partners are ending, help is still available through government structures. Please reach out to the following hotlines in case of any child protection concerns:
  • KR-I: Call 📞116 (Child Protection Hotline) or visit Child Protection Centers under the Department of Labour and Social Affairs (DoLSA).
  • South and Central Iraq: Call 📞911.

STAY INFORMED

  • We understand that false information can easily spread and cause confusion. Please seek credible information from your community leaders, as well as checking the UNHCR webpage for any information related to UNHCR. 
  • We are committed to continuing to share with you any additional information which could be useful for you.
  • Please visit the UNHCR Help Website regularly or follow our WhatsApp channel for the latest information.

PLEASE HELP US SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY TO ENSURE EVERYONE IS INFORMED OF THE PHASE OUT OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED SERVICES AND KNOWS WHERE TO SEEK SUPPORT.