WHO WE ARE
Photo: War Child
WHO WE ARE
In this section
WHO WE ARE
War Child is the only specialist charity for children affected by conflict.
Formed in 1993 in response to conflict in the former Yugoslavia, War Child has since expanded its work to conflicts worldwide.
For more than two decades we’ve been driven by a single goal: for no child’s life to be torn apart by war.
We aim to reach children as early as possible when conflict breaks out and we stay to support them through their recovery.
We keep them safe, help them to learn and overcome their experiences, and equip them with skills for the future.
We respect children’s rights and put them at the centre of the solution. We get children back into school.
We work with ex-child soldiers to create new opportunities for them.
We promote justice for young people in detention. We also work with children and young people to demand their rights and change policies and practices that affect them.
War Child Australia (WCA) was established as an ‘all volunteer’ organization in July 2002 WCA is part of the international War Child family and partner of War Child UK and War Child Canada.
Since 2002 , WCA has been committed to providing aid to young victims of war all around the world.
It was initially set up as a result of the passion of writers Jessica Adams and Nick Earls who came up with the idea of getting writers to donate their short stories for a compilation, the royalties from which would go to War Child. Ultimately, there were eight books published in Australia between 2000 and 2018 (the ‘ Girls’ Night In’ series the ‘Kids Night In’ series and ‘Funnybones’ with similar books published in the UK and Canada). Those books raised well over 3 million dollars around the world to assist War Child in its work.
Because WCA is run by volunteers and works with partners, administrative costs are kept to a minimum and our arrangement with War Child UK means that funds go directly to programs WCA has funded or co-funded programs established and run by War Child UK and War Child Canada in Afghanistan, CAR, Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Kosovo, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the DRC.
WCA established itself as a company limited by guarantee in December 2019.
Since January 2024 War Child UK works as part of a Global Alliance with War Child offices in the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden as well as Children in Conflict in the US and with offices in other countries such as Canada and Australia to deliver programs and activities for conflict affected children in 16 countries.
War Child’s goal: for no child’s life to be torn apart by war.
In this section
Who we are
Our team
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War Child as a humanitarian organisation does not have any political affiliation.
Our sole objective is to protect the rights of children living through conflict, and we partner with governments, UN agencies and NGOs to achieve this. War Child works to ensure that challenges faced by children are widely understood and addressed by those who hold power. We maintain constructive working relationships across government, to keep decision makers updated on key developments on children living through armed conflicts. Whilst we draw on determinations from recognised international institutions where relevant to our programming, any use of their guidance is to support our humanitarian and legal decisions and does not imply political support.
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War Child condemns all violence against children.
War Child’s absolute top priority is protecting children. We must be able to deliver humanitarian aid, solely on the basis of need, without discrimination. In order to do this, impartiality across all areas of our work is key.
War Child was founded as a non-governmental humanitarian organisation. Our independence includes an obligation not to support any armed actor, regardless of their position in a conflict. and underpins our ability to work in contested spaces.
Impartiality will ensure we can gain access to all children who need us, and ensure all children are treated equally. To prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable children, wherever they are, we must not be seen by any actor or faction as being biased, as this might restrict our access to children. Our impartiality means that once we have reached children we are able to build trust within communities, and continue to treat all children with the equal respect they deserve.
We speak out when we believe International Humanitarian Law is not being upheld – there is no compromise when it comes to killing children or attacking school and hospitals, which are grave violations of children’s rights. We urge everyone to respect the protections afforded to children under these legal frameworks.
When we communicate publicly about a conflict, and how children are affected, we must prioritise our principles of impartiality in order to meet our key goals for children. Impartiality in our communications means remaining focussed on how children are affected, and calling for peace.
We are on the ground and ready to respond to the needs of children in Gaza as soon as it is safe enough to do so. We know it is going to take all the help we can get to reach the thousands of children who will be severely traumatised, and left with nothing, when the immediate dangers from this recent crisis subside.
Humanitarian principles
The principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence are fundamental to humanitarian action.
Humanity means that human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, with particular attention to the most vulnerable.
Neutrality means that humanitarian aid must not favour any side in an armed conflict or other dispute.
Impartiality means that humanitarian aid must be provided solely on the basis of need, without discrimination.
Independence means the autonomy of humanitarian objectives from political, economic, military or other objectives.
Humanitarian principles are endorsed by 2 UN General Assembly resolutions. They guide the work of all actors working in the humanitarian sphere, defining what humanitarian aid is: delivering life-saving assistance to those in need, without any adverse distinction. They distinguish humanitarian aid from other activities, for example those of political, religious, ideological, or military nature. Adherence to the humanitarian principles facilitates access and acceptance and helps humanitarian workers carry out their work.
OUR TEAM
Clare Mirabello
Director
Anita Khosla
Director
Yvette McGrath
Philanthropy and Partner Engagement Director (War Child UK)
CONTACT US
Please get in touch with us via the form below. We’ll respond to your query as soon as possible.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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