Unprotected: Analysis of Funding for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action in 2023

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the severe funding gaps that continue to impact child protection in humanitarian settings. As crises escalate worldwide, the report highlights the urgent need for increased and equitable funding to protect the most vulnerable children.

Key findings include:

• In 2023, only 29.6% of requested child protection funding was received across UN coordinated appeals.
• Significant disparities exist in child protection funding across humanitarian and refugee contexts, leading to inconsistent and inadequate protection for children. 
• Only 2% of child protection funding went directly to local actors, despite their crucial role in protecting children. 
• Positive steps have been made in improving the visibility of child protection funding through reporting mechanisms like the Financial Tracking Service (FTS), which is critical for transparency.

The report underscores the need for urgent action to close these funding gaps and ensure that child protection is prioritised in all humanitarian and refugee response efforts. We urge donors, policymakers, and humanitarian leaders to join us in this critical mission to protect children in crises.