Examines the important steps that the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) has taken to meet the rights and protection needs of refugee children and considers the organizational issues that impede implementation of specific objectives. Professionals working with refugees get: (1) an overview of key UNHCR actions in such priority areas as sexual exploitation of children, gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, education, prevention and monitoring of military recruitment of children, and unaccompanied or separated children; (2) an analysis of the obstacles to implementing UNHCR child-protection policies, including lack of accountability, blurred lines of authority, and inadequate expertise; and (3) suggested recommendations for improving protection of refugee children, including demystifying the child program and mobilizing communities in the service of child protection. Where the protection needs of refugee children have been significantly achieved, it has resulted from a number of factors, including: the support of senior management; approaches that include social as well as legal and physical aspects of protection; staff collaboration with community-based social systems and networks; and strategic partnerships, including collaboration with key nongovernmental organizations.
