On 2 September 2015, the world woke up to a heartbreaking image: Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian boy, lying lifeless on a Turkish beach. That photograph became a symbol of the dangers faced by people forced to flee their homes, and it shook public opinion in Switzerland and across the globe.
A decade later, the world has changed in many ways – but for refugee children, much remains the same. The number of people forced to flee has doubled, reaching over 122 million today, of which about 40% are children.
“Alan Kurdi’s death was a tragedy and, today, remains a sad reminder of how conflict, violence, and persecution impact children,” says Amel Amir Ali, Child Protection Officer at UNHCR. “Children and their families are forced to flee their homes as their lives are turned upside-down, and are increasingly resorting to dangerous journeys as safe paths to protection are becoming less available. Since the tragedy that resulted in Alan's life being extinguished, many more children have lost their lives.”
Why child protection matters
For UNHCR, protecting children has always been central. For more than 70 years, the agency has worked to keep children safe from harm, help them rebuild their futures, and advocate for their rights.
“Globally, nearly half of all people forced to flee are children, facing risks that endanger both their lives and their future. That’s why UNHCR has established policies to protect and assist them, working with States and communities to help children stay safe from harm, survive, grow, and have a voice in decisions that affect them,” Amir Ali reminds us. “In short, protecting refugee children is woven into all our work.”
In practice, this means preventing family separation, providing safe shelters and education, and ensuring children’s voices are heard in decisions that shape their lives.
The dangers refugee children face
The risks for children on the move are immense. Many lose homes, schools, and families – leaving them exposed to trafficking, violence, or exploitation. For some, the journey itself becomes a daily struggle for survival, marked by hunger, exhaustion, and fear of what lies ahead.
Amir Ali recalls the story of a young girl she met early in her career. At first, she appeared to be accompanied by a relative, but it soon became clear she was in the hands of a trafficker.
“What has stayed with me, is not only her vulnerability but her resilience,” says Amir Ali. “After everything she had endured, she still had the courage to speak up, to trust again, and to start rebuilding her life. That strength, in the middle of so much pain, is something I have seen in many refugee children.”
Stories like hers highlight both the devastating risks refugee children face – exploitation, violence, and profound loss – and the extraordinary strength they can show when given even a small measure of protection and care. Their resilience is a source of hope, but it also underscores how urgent it is to ensure that no child has to carry such burdens alone.
A growing crisis in numbers
The figures tell a sobering story.
- By the end of 2024, there were 49 million displaced children among the world’s 122 million forcibly displaced people – the highest number ever recorded.
- In the past six years alone, over 2 million children have been born as refugees.
- In 2023, at least 289 children died or went missing attempting the dangerous Central Mediterranean crossing.
Behind each statistic is a child like Alan was, waking up each morning not to safety and routine, but to uncertainty – waiting for food, for water, or for news of missing family members.
Programmes that change lives
Despite immense challenges, UNHCR’s work has shown that concrete protection is possible. One example is the “Live, Learn & Play Safe” initiative implemented in Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Yemen. This regional project strengthened family-based care, expanded education opportunities, and provided livelihoods support to refugee families.
“What made the difference was the multi-sector approach,” explains Amir Ali. “We were not only addressing immediate risks but also helping families build safer, more stable futures. As a result, more children had safe care and access to school.”
The impact of funding cuts
Yet today, these promising advances are seriously threatened by a lack of funding. UNHCR entered 2025 needing USD 10.6 billion to respond to global displacement, but by May had received only 23% of required funds.
The consequences are devastating:
- In Chad, where over 760,000 Sudanese refugees (mostly women and children) have fled brutal conflict, UNHCR had received only 14% of required funds by early 2025.
- Globally, at least 1.1 million children in 23 countries have been directly affected by funding shortfalls, losing access to family tracing, alternative care, or support as survivors of sexual violence.
“The bottom line is simple and harsh: when resources drop, children’s exposure to violence, exploitation and family separation rises, and their access to protection narrows,” warns Amir Ali. “If funding is restored, we know exactly what to scale. Until then, too many children will be left waiting.”
Lessons from Alan’s story
Alan Kurdi’s family fled war in Syria. They tried to rebuild in exile, but opportunities were scarce, and safe legal pathways were out of reach. Eventually, they felt they had no choice but to attempt a dangerous sea crossing.
“Alan lost his life on that shore in Europe not because solutions did not exist, but because they were not available to him,” says Amir Ali. “Alan’s story could have been different if there had been access to national services, if there had been safe and legal routes, if support for refugee-hosting countries had been more substantial, and if protection of children had been treated as essential, not optional.”
This is the core message ten years on: these are not impossible problems, but questions of will and collective choices.
A call to Switzerland
For people in Switzerland, Alan’s image remains unforgettable. It was a stark reminder that behind every headline is a child with a name, a family, and dreams.
“Your solidarity matters,” stresses Amir Ali. “Swiss people have been generous and steadfast supporters, and their solidarity has truly changed lives. But at a time when needs are growing and resources are shrinking, continued support is vital.”
Alan’s life cannot be brought back. But by acting now, we can honour his memory and protect other children from paying the same price.