Children in War: A Guide to the Provision of Service

Renewed national and international interest in and commitment to the special needs of children in situations of armed conflict is rather recent and has developed in large part because of the initiatives taken by  UNICEF's Executive Board and staff.

This book was formulated to encourage consideration of the following questions:

• What impacts do present-day conflicts have on children and their families?
• What special needs of children should be anticipated and monitored?
• Which children in what circumstances are likely to have special needs that may require intervention?
• What principles of programme response might be suggested?
• What programme strategies are being adopted around the world to meet children's needs?
• What literature and special resources are available to service providers?

The premises are:

1. Children's needs can be met, even in the midst of hostilities;
2. Children's needs are served best by helping families provide the necessary care and protection children require;
3. The support of all parties must be enlisted to ensure the well-being of children in situations of armed conflict;
4. If we want better answers, we must ask better questions;
5. Local problems are probably best solved by local solutions; and
6. In emergency programming, adaptation and innovation are necessary if services are to be effective.