Conference Brief | Humanitarian and Climate Thematic Focus: Protecting Children in Crises

Children living through conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and disasters face some of the highest risks of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, yet often have the least protection around them. Despite these growing risks, child protection remains underfunded and too often deprioritised in humanitarian responses.

Developed ahead of the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, taking place in Manila, Philippines from 16-19 November 2026, this Humanitarian and Climate Thematic Brief highlights the urgent need to ensure that children affected by crises are central to global commitments to end violence against children.

The brief brings together the latest evidence, key messages, and practical recommendations to inform stronger commitments from governments, donors, and humanitarian and development partners.

The brief includes:

• The scale of the challenge: Latest data on children affected by conflict, displacement, and climate shocks, with links to supporting sources.
• What we know: Three evidence-based messages on how crises increase violence against children, why child protection systems can and must be strengthened during crises, and the importance of investing in prevention.
• Five headline pledges for Manila: Concrete commitments to protect children affected by crises, with suggested indicators to measure progress.
• What strong pledges look like: Practical examples for governments, donors, international financial institutions, and humanitarian, development, and civil society partners.
• How to engage in Manila: Information on two dedicated sessions focused on protecting children in humanitarian and climate crises.

The brief calls for specific, funded, and measurable commitments that strengthen child protection systems, prioritise prevention, and ensure that refugee, displaced, and other crisis-affected children are not left behind.

By translating evidence into action, governments and partners can help ensure that every child's right to protection is upheld, including in times of crisis.