1. Child Development and the Impact of War on Children and Youth Development General Assumptions  Refugee situations are emergency situations  Refugee children are traumatised  Education existed for these children in the country of origin  Psycho-social developmental stages is universal

2. Child Development and the Impact of War on Children and Youth Development UNHCR  Staff not specialised  Implementing partners have expertise  Maintenance of ‘Status Quo’ is more important than the ‘window of opportunity’ approach

3. Child Development and the Impact of War on Children and Youth Development l Machel study accepted and acted upon. l Education is a fundamental right. l Refugees have the right to be treated equally and with dignity and safety. l Education is a tool of protection

4. Child Development and the Impact of War on Children and Youth Development l UNHCR’s concern is life and death rather than quality of life. l Education is a development issue. l Responding to individual needs is very expensive

5. Child Development and the Impact of War on Children and Youth Development l UNHCR’s Response:  Structured recreation in the first phases of an emergency  Basic education (up to grade 10)  Close working relationships with UNICEF, RET, and IPs  Life skills to respond to specific needs of refugee children (SRH, Health, Peace Education)  ARC programme to raise awareness of specific psycho- social needs of refugee children with staff, community leaders, IPs, Government authorities etc.  Networking with agencies to provide secondment staff in education and community services to prevent and minimise trauma.