Protection

Conflict does not affect everyone equally. Women, children, older people and people with disabilities face specific risks — of violence, exploitation, separation from family and exclusion from assistance. Protection work exists to reduce those risks and to respond when harm has already been done.

Child protection

We identify and support children who have been separated from their families, work towards family tracing and reunification where it is safe, and provide interim care and psychosocial support. Children out of school are at greater risk, which is why protection works closely with our education programme.

Gender-based violence

We work on prevention — engaging communities, men and boys included, on the norms that make violence possible — and on response, ensuring survivors can reach medical care, psychosocial support and, where they choose it, legal help. Survivors decide what happens next; our role is to make real options available and to keep their information confidential.

Psychosocial support

We provide individual and group psychosocial support, and safe spaces where women and children can meet, talk and begin to recover a sense of normality.

Case management and referral

Complex cases are managed individually and referred to specialised services where these exist. We also work on trafficking prevention and the reintegration of children associated with armed groups.