Follow-up to the activities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on behalf of children victims of armed conflict and street children

At the 27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, a great many National Societies and several States made pledges relating to children affected by armed conflict. A number of creative and dynamic projects have since been set up on the basis of the 2000-2003 Plan of Action and of individual and collective pledges. Other projects to assist and protect children affected by armed conflict have been launched on the basis of resolutions 8 (children affected by war) and 9 (street children) adopted by the 1999 Council of Delegates.

In order to prepare a summary report on the implementation of pledges concerning children affected by armed conflict, for submission to the Council of Delegates and International Conference to be held in 2003, the ICRC is requesting the National Societies' assistance in, asking them to filling out the following questionnaire:

The replies will provide a better an idea of the expertise acquired by National Societies in this area and of the main obstacles they have encountered in seeking to implement their projects. The information gathered will also enable us to stimulate cooperation within the Movement by finding ways of putting existing capacities to better use and lending assistance to National Societies which are experiencing difficulties.

See also:

The Movement's Plan of Action

endorsed by the Council of Delegates, Geneva, 1995

This Plan of Action was approved by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in advance of the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The Optional Protocol came into force on 12 February 2002 and the Movement's commitments remain valid.

Commitments under the Plan of Action

1. To promote the principle of non-recruitment and non-participation in armed conflicts of children under 18 years of age.;

2. To take specific steps to protect and assist child victims of armed conflict.