Creating prospects

Donate for children in need

Jendar Khemesh

Protecting children

Every child deserves a carefree childhood. However, this is not the reality for millions of children: especially in crisis areas or economically weak countries, the needs and rights of children are often pushed into the background.

Help is committed to ensuring that girls and boys around the world can grow up in dignity and gives them a secure future.

+++ There is currently no longer a safe place for children in Gaza. Learn more about our Help in Gaza. +++

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Zwei Schulkinder aus Mali sitzen vor einem Brunnen

In many places around the world, war, hunger and flight determine the everyday lives of millions of children. Simply being a child is hardly possible in such situations. Instead, many children have to take on the tasks of adults far too early and raise their siblings, for example. This leaves no time for playing and learning.

Unlike in Germany, in many countries it is not a matter of course for children to go to school. A lack of money for school fees, natural disasters or conflicts are just some of the reasons for this.

In addition, many children are exposed to health risks: illnesses or malnutrition claim countless children's lives every year. War and flight often lead to trauma, which has a significant impact on the children's psyche.

244 million children do not go to school
22% of under-fives are underdeveloped
Every sixth child lives in a conflict or crisis zone
Every year, one billion children experience physical, psychological or sexual violence

Sources: UNESCO, WHO, Save the Children / 2023

Ein tschadisches Mädchen holt mithilfe eines Esels Trinkwasser — The long way to water: In the Sahel region, children have to walk up to 6 hours to fetch drinking water.

A good school education creates opportunities for work and forms the basis for a self-determined life. This is why Help is particularly committed to education.

In conflict areas and after disasters, schools are often destroyed or used as emergency accommodation for refugees. Help renovates damaged schools and provides the necessary infrastructure in the form of water supply and sanitary facilities so that lessons can be resumed.

In many countries, children are also unable to go to school because they need help with household chores. They often have to walk for hours to fetch drinking water for their families from remote water points.

Help is therefore improving access to drinking water supplies: We build wells in communities to shorten the distance to water and make it safer.

Eine Mutter hält ihr schlafendes Kind im Arm — Success in Burkina Faso: child mortality is declining!

Children can already suffer damage in the womb, for example if the mother does not receive adequate medical care or is malnourished. The first three years of a child's life are also crucial. Malnutrition or undernourishment can lead to severe developmental delays at this age, which the child can no longer make up for later.

In Burkina Faso, Help has been able to ensure that children under the age of five and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers receive free preventive healthcare. This means that any developmental damage can be prevented at an early stage.

In the Sahel region and in South Sudan, Help provides malnourished infants with a special high-energy food based on peanut paste.

Eine Psychologin unterhält sich mit einem Mädchen — Emergency aid in Ukraine: A psychologist talking to a girl.

Many children are confronted with violence and conflict at an early age. Traumas arise, especially when fleeing, which a child cannot cope with alone. In crisis and disaster areas, Help is therefore particularly dedicated to providing psychosocial and psychological support for children. This is also the case in Ukraine, where many children and young people have been traumatized by the war. Help supports them in coming to terms with their experiences.

After the floods in Germany, Help is also strengthening aid offers for children and supporting the reconstruction of schools and daycare centers.