Child with their hand painted red as part of War Child activities to mark Red Hand Day, also known as the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers.
Reintegration

Children associated with armed forces and groups

It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of children in armed groups around the world. War Child support children who have been released from armed groups to go back to their families, schools and communities.

It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of children in armed groups around the world. 

Not all children in armed groups are soldiers. Boys and girls as young as eight may be recruited to fight on the front line, participate in suicide missions and act as spies, messengers and lookouts. Many are lured in my promises of education, security and money, and others are indoctrinated or forced. 

The recruitment and use of boys and girls in armed conflict is one of the most horrific violations of children's rights. 

At War Child we hold children's rights at the centre of everything we do. We won't stop until every child is safe. 

Children taking part in activities to mark Red Hand Day, also known as the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, where red hand prints are shared to call on world leaders to stop the use of children in armed groups.
Children taking part in activities to mark Red Hand Day, also known as the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, where red hand prints are shared to call on world leaders to stop the use of children in armed groups.

Scale of the challenge

  • 8521

    Children recruited or used in armed conflict globally in 2020.

  • 85 %

    Of children recruited and used globally in 2020 were boys.

  • 788

    Children were recruited and used in DRC in 2020.

Why do we use the term CAAFAG instead of child soldiers? 

The UN defines child soldiers as 'children associated with armed forces and groups', or 'CAAFAG' for short. 

Not all children have armed roles in these groups, so referring to them as 'child soldiers' isn't always accurate:  

"A child associated with an armed force or armed group refers to any person below 18 years of age who is, or who has been, recruited or used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity, including but not limited to children, boys and girls, used as fighters, cooks, porters, spies or for sexual purposes." 

Former child soldier, Frederique playing football in the Central African Republic.
Frederique, a child formerly associated with an armed group in the Central African Republic, playing football next to War Child's friendly space.
I am happy I can go to the War Child child-friendly space and take part in the activities. When I am there, I can forget my troubles for a while. When I see other kids playing football, I can’t sit still, I have to join them. I just love playing football, it’s what makes me happiest.
Frederique, Central African Republic.

What we do 

For reintegration to be sustainable, children, young people and their communities need to be at the core of the process. Our role is to support the community in reintegrating their children.  

Before anything else, we listen and learn from them, then we support them in appropriate ways. This support can include providing children who are coming straight from armed forces or groups with immediate assistance, such as health-checks and clothing, reuniting children separated from their families, providing mental health and legal support or supporting them back into education. Older children are also given vocational or work skills training, to present them with future opportunities. 

Children who have been associated with armed groups, often face stigma and rejection. We work with communities, families and teachers to ensure that children are accepted back into their communities and supported to be children again. 

At present, War Child is working with children associated with armed forces and groups in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are currently preparing to start work in Iraq and Yemen.

Find out more about our work reintegrating children associated with armed forces and groups.