Caring for children in conflict zones 

By Jill Nosach, SOS Children’s Villages-USA CEO 

Armed conflict and war forces families to flee for their lives at a moment’s notice. In the ensuing chaos, many children are accidentally separated from their families. They find themselves alone, far from home, and often without any legal identification. 

Without the protection of a loving and trusted adult, these children are at an extreme risk of labor or sex trafficking and other forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation. And, to further exacerbate their trauma, a lack of legal documentation presents significant barriers to receiving aid, accessing education and other critical support services, like food and safe shelter. 

These are the forgotten children of war. Invisible and at risk of disappearing entirely—lost in the mayhem, vulnerable to predators and desperate to be reunited with their families. 

This is a heartbreaking and unacceptable consequence of armed conflict and war.  

But there is hope.  

Every child has the right to protection, care and the support they need to heal and rebuild. 

That’s why we:  

• Deliver immediate safety with child-friendly spaces in conflict zones. 

• Provide children with psychological support and trauma-informed care. 

• Work with local and national governments to recover children’s legal documentation, locate and reunite children with their biological families. 

• Advocate for legal protections to ensure the rights of unaccompanied children are recognized and upheld. 

Governments, charitable operations and humanitarian organizations must work together to create a global safety net for children—one that prioritizes immediate safety, trauma-informed care and family reunification. 

Together, we can create a world where no child grows up alone. 

Jill Nosach

CEO and National Director
SOS Children's Villages USA