Whether they grow up amidst violence, in a crowded refugee camp or at the height of a global public health emergency, all children respond differently to crisis. Some seek love and affection. Others become anxious or withdrawn. Many experience feelings of anger and powerlessness.
What all children have in common, however, is an inner strength - almost larger than life. When crisis strikes - and if we are honest, many adults crumble - it is children who spur us on with their endless creativity and resilience.
We are War Child.
Everything we do is inspired by children.
Our 2020 Highlights
The number of children and adults reached through our programmes
293,681
The number of children and adults reached through our COVID-19 response
5.9 million
War Child delivered vital child protection, education and psychosocial support among underserved and hard-to-reach communities in 16 countries. Taking hold at different stages and with different degrees of force, the year saw COVID-19 reach all 16 countries - countries with the least resources to handle a public health crisis of this magnitude. We trained more local staff than ever and rallied thousands of volunteers to deliver a far-reaching emergency response with a newly established basic aid and COVID-19 preventative component. Hard lockdown, blanket school closures and escalations in armed conflict - to name a few - saw participant numbers dwindle at first. Yet, together we were able to rapidly adapt our programmes to meet the needs of a record number of children.
We welcomed the support of 42 partner organisations to help implement our programmes
We published 16 research articles, developed one new intervention and a further three underwent evaluation
We saw our income decrease by €1.9 million to reach a total of €43.6 million
But our spirits remain high, thanks to 91,600 structural donors...
The financial backing of 34 institutions and foundations...
Not to mention, 543 full-time members of staff who - based all over the globe - showed great personal resolve to meet the needs of children
Learning in Lockdown
Can’t Wait to Learn is helping Stella and Shadrack embrace home learning in Uganda. Find out how
Meet Our Ambassador
Quinty Misiedjan is a much-loved YouTuber, passionate about using her platform to tell the “real stories” of the world’s refugee children.
Check-B Magic: “Corona”
Who better to get our COVID-19 message heard than South Sudanese Afrobeat star Check-B Magic? Learn more
Community Case Detection Tool
Widening access to vital mental healthcare services for children affected by conflict. Read on
Duaa (11) is Healing Through Play
“Now, I believe I can do anything I set my mind to.”
Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, more than 1.5 million people have fled into neighbouring Lebanon - Duaa is one of them. Find out how she is letting go of frustration and shaping her own future.
Our View
“The coronavirus pandemic has revealed the necessity for enhanced innovation across the humanitarian sector - something that comes naturally to the children in our programmes. Now was the time to think outside the box but also not overthink less we fail to act.
“The coronavirus pandemic has revealed the necessity for enhanced innovation across the humanitarian sector.” - Tjipke Bergsma, Managing Director War Child
First, we suspended group activities. Next, we began to disseminate reliable information on personal protection against the virus. In the weeks to come we were to dramatically reshape our core interventions, exploring safe and creative ways to continue to provide vital child protection, education and psychosocial support.”
How did we adapt and what did we learn? Our managing director, Tjipke Bergsma explains.