The IFRC is operating a Humanitarian Service Point at sea in the Central Mediterranean in partnership with international NGO SOS Mediterranée. The cooperation aims at reducing human suffering and preventing loss of life through a fully able-to-assist rescue ship (Ocean Viking). Among its services, the Ocean Viking provides protection and assistance to Unaccompanied and Separated Children.

This case study highlights outcomes from a specialized Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Caring for Children Moving Alone: Protecting Unaccompanied and Separated Children. The MOOC was developed by an interagency network led by the IFRC and International Social Services (ISS). The free, six-week MOOC aims to increase the knowledge and support improved practice of tens of thousands of local front-line workers who make decisions about the care and best interest of children on the move every day.

The Chad Red Cross with involvement of local authorities has set up an integrated protection programme in eight camps and transit sites to support refugee children and families mainly from Sudan. The programme has a focus on Child Friendly Spaces, education, and support to Unaccompanied and Separated Children.

This Guidance Document is designed for anyone in a National Society who is assessing, designing, implementing, or monitoring and evaluating programming that involves UASC.

The Guidance Document is structured so that National Societies can use the sections that are most relevant to them. Some sections are relevant to all National Societies working with UASC, such as those for National Society preparedness, child safeguarding systems, actions for prevention, assessing needs, empowering and engaging UASC. Other sections like those on essential services and humanitarian diplomacy might have some parts more relevant than others depending on the context and focus each National Society is taking.   

This report focuses on separated and unaccompanied children who are on the move. All references to children will refer to this particular group of vulnerable children.