War Child always takes a positive approach towards children and young people affected by armed conflict, by focusing on their strengths. Children are seen as survivors and not as victims. Many children have the ability and skills to shape their lives and to cope with adversity, even when they have experienced armed conflict or life-threatening incidents.
However, children can develop symptoms like nightmares, depression, outbursts of anger or powerlessness, difficulty concentrating or lack of confidence, which are normal reactions to stressful situations. Family and social structures are often disintegrated, making the situation more difficult. In their efforts to overcome their experiences, these children might need support in reaching a stage of wellbeing and happiness in their lives.
Our approach in working with children and young people affected by armed conflict can be summarized as follows: Increasing the resilience of children and young people by working with them and their environment in order to strengthen their protective factors and lessening the risk factors which are influencing their development.
War Child identifies three intervention strategies to realize lasting positive changes in the lives of children and youth.
In order to determine where a new programme can be launched, War Child analyses the conflict area and the organizations that work there. War Child prefers to collaborate with local organizations and assists in building their capacity. Partners may range from small community groups to national governments. When insufficient local organizations are present, War Child starts a programme on its own and will then look for local organizations that can carry on the work. Read more
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