10 + 1 things to know about the impact of crises on the future of children and young people
Crises and conflicts affect the well-being of the younger generation in many different ways. The effects extend far into the future – and are often permanent.
Text: Anne Salomäki
Illustration: Carla Ladau
1. More and more victims.
Millions of children and young people’s lives are threatened by a series of crises around the world. In the Palestinian Territories, Ukraine, Haiti, Sudan and other crisis and conflict zones, children are being killed, injured and disabled. Millions of children suffer from chronic hunger as the food crisis worsens. In crisis situations, children’s rights are rarely realised.
2. Physical well-being at risk.
In addition to hunger, thirst and violence, children in crisis face threats such as disease and lack of health care. The sick and wounded may not receive adequate care. In poor conditions, diseases spread and vaccination programmes are not implemented. Even if a child remains healthy, adult caregivers may become ill, injured or die.
3. Disrupted development.
In crises, children and young people are vulnerable because certain stages of development and vulnerability may be missed altogether due to exceptional circumstances. This can be physical, psychological and socio-emotional development, the disruption of which prevents children from developing to their full potential. Development is also stunted on a large scale, as the Sustainable Development Goals for children are not met.
4. Learning deficit.
In crisis situations, education is often disrupted or interrupted. Closing the learning gap is important for well-being, development and further education, as the loss of opportunities also deprives children of faith in the future. School also provides children with routines and psychosocial support in times of instability. It is therefore important to try to keep school interruptions as short as possible.
5. Girls at particular risk.
Girls are particularly at risk of family displacement and loss of livelihood, and may end up in child marriage or being forced into prostitution. They are also more likely than boys to drop out of school. Moreover, when social services are not available, practices such as genital mutilation become more common. In addition to girls, children and young people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable.
6. Missing out on future revenues.
If a child or young person ends in child labour or in a refugee camp without the opportunity to go to school, their future employment prospects are limited. This has a significant impact on the livelihood of the child and his or her future family. Poverty and educational attainment are also often inherited, so the effects of crises can be felt for a long time to come.
7. Violence can become normalised.
Children who grow up around violence may come to see violence as normal and may resort to it themselves. In addition, children may become child soldiers from a very young age or become radicalised and exposed to recruitment by terrorist organisations. Witnessing and being involved in violence affects the mental health of the child and is likely to lead to lasting trauma.
8. Relationships suffer.
Violence and experiences of marginalisation can lead, for example, to increased substance abuse or intimate partner violence. Unhealthy coping skills can erode relationships. Having missed out on their own childhood, adults may not know how to care for their own children or family members. Many socio-emotional developmental stages may be missed, undermining a person’s coping and social skills.
9. Financial difficulties.
It is easiest for aid agencies to find funding for acute crises and to provide basic needs such as food, water, health care and shelter. Recovery and reconstruction from crises and building future resilience receive less attention and funding – despite the fact that it is multi-year, predictable and flexible funding that is critical in crises. For example, ensuring access to education and livelihoods is essential to enable people to build a more secure future for themselves.
10. The climate crisis is exacerbating the situation.
The climate crisis affects everyone, but especially those who are already vulnerable. Children’s future is threatened by the environmental triple crisis of climate change, environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity. Almost half of the world’s children live in areas of extreme climate risk, according to UNICEF. The crisis is increasing the spread of diseases, the risk of conflict and food insecurity. Climate change is also driving more and more people into refugee situations.
+1: FCA takes a preventive approach.
FCA works to strengthen the coping skills and resilience of children, young people, families and communities so that they do not just return from crises to their old situations, but emerge stronger for the future. In this way, new crises are better prepared for and recovery is faster. Even in the midst of crises, children and young people need hope to help them get back on their feet and reach for a better future.
Sources: FCA Child Protection Specialist Jesca Driciru, Save the Children (cf. Stop the War on Children -report) and UNICEF (cf. The climate-changed child -report, Progress on Children Humanitarian Action for Children 2024 -plan).