Conflict, natural disasters, poverty—these humanitarian emergencies around the world often separate families, leaving children unprotected in crises. Without the protection and nurturing support of a family, children are extremely vulnerable to violence, abuse and other forms of exploitation, as well as devastating long-term effects on their development and well-being.
This global research found that children separated from their families face heightened risks of mental and physical health issues, labor and sexual exploitation and perpetuating cycles of trauma for future generations.
A recent article in Ms. Magazine highlights this growing global crisis, citing SOS Children’s Villages global report on understanding and preventing family separation. While family separation affects children worldwide—from Sudan to Colombia to conflict zones in the Middle East—they share one common thread: weak societal protection systems leave children vulnerable to separation during crises.
Jill Nosach, CEO and National Director of SOS Children's Villages USA, shared with Ms. Magazine the heartbreaking story of a young Palestinian girl separated from her family by conflict.
"She's ready to go home from the hospital but she doesn't have any idea where her home is," Nosach explained. The trauma left the child unable to speak or eat, highlighting the immediate psychological impact of family separation.
“What’s best for the child is growing up in a family where you’ve got a trusted parental figure,” Nosach emphasized.
SOS Children’s Villages works proactively to strengthen families, addressing the root causes of separation—like poverty or the challenges that arise in the wake of a humanitarian crisis—and implementing programs so families have the support, training and resources they need to remain together. When separation does occur, SOS provides family-based alternative care where children are cared for by a trauma-informed trained caregiver while simultaneously working toward family reunification whenever possible.
As a secular, nonpartisan organization dedicated to ensuring every child grows up in a safe home with a loving family, SOS Children's Villages continues to focus on meeting children's most immediate needs—delivering nutrition, shelter and informal education when possible—while working toward reunification with families when feasible or providing family-based alternative care when needed. Our commitment remains steadfast: every child deserves the safety, stability and loving care that only a family environment can provide.
Read the full Ms. Magazine article here.
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About SOS Children’s Villages:
SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest organization providing safe, loving homes to children without parental care. For more than 75 years and in more than 130 countries, SOS Children’s Villages has been raising children with everything they need—loving families, healthy food, quality education, professional health care and more. SOS provides continual support as young people transition into adulthood—all while strengthening the families and communities around them, so children and young people can reach their full potential and thrive.