In all the conflicts we work in, children and young people end up in armed forces or groups.

Even if this group remains a minority compared to the larger group of conflict-affected children and youth, supporting their reintegration and the prevention of further recruitment is crucial for peacebuilding and longer-term stability. Still, thousands of boys and girls are left without support sometimes pushing them to return to the armed force or group or exposed to further risk of abuse and exploitation. 

Reintegrating conflict-affected children and young people is crucial for peace, local development, and long-term stability. Yet funding is short-term and insufficient, and programmes often fail to consider the needs and capacities of those most important – affected children, young people, and their communities.