URGENT APPEAL: U.S. federal funding for efforts to support refugee youth at risk of violence and exploitation has been drastically cut. Without your support, we cannot continue this vital work. Please consider donating today. Thank you!
The Problem
In times of crisis, disaster, and conflict, affected children and families need quality, accountable, reliable, and efficient humanitarian services more than ever. They have the right to receive protection and assistance and to ensure the basic conditions for life with dignity. Unfortunately, the needs of the children and youth most at risk of violence and exploitation are often overlooked, resulting in insufficient support and disproportionate inequality and discrimination. This marginalization can lead to conflict with the law, gender-based violence and serious protection risks such as grave violations of children’s rights and the worst forms of child labor.
Why “The Aurora Project”?
Youth leaders in our Youth Advisory Groups chose “Aurora” as the name for the project because they felt it symbolized the dawn of a new era where all children feel seen, accepted, and celebrated.
Children on the Margins
Children who don’t conform to societal norms and expectations face significant mental health and psychosocial support needs, brought on by family violence and societal stigma. For those children impacted by armed conflict or natural disasters, these needs are often exacerbated by trauma, displacement, and loss of supportive social structures. Evidence suggests that existing programs that work with marginalized refugee populations primarily focus on adults, while child protection programming, including those focused on sexual and gender-based violence, seldom addresses the specific needs of children and adolescents on the margins.
Partnering for Success
The Health and Human Rights Program has launched The Aurora Project to improve protection, mental health, and psychosocial support services for marginalized children and youth in humanitarian settings. We are conducting research in partnership with refugee youth and grassroots children’s rights organizations in two contexts to produce first-of-its-kind research on the protection and mental health needs, preferences, and priorities of the children and youth most at risk of violence and exploitation, and to inform global child protection guidance and case management tools for humanitarian practitioners.