Children’s access to essential services
Perspectives and practices of Non-State Armed Groups and De Facto Authorities
This research report, co-authored by the Centre on Armed Groups and Fight for Humanity, explores the perceptions, motives, and practices of non-state armed groups and de facto authorities regarding children’s access to essential services across four case-studies: Mali, Myanmar, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Yemen. Drawing on key informant interviews, focus groups discussions and extensive literature reviews, it finds that across the four contexts, children’s access to essential services is primarily constrained by political fragmentation, competing contested governance structures, insecurity, infrastructure destruction, and shrinking humanitarian space.
While most armed actors recognise children’s rights and accept humanitarian assistance in principle (and in some cases provide services themselves), they frequently impose administrative, political, and security-related restrictions. These include registration requirements, interference in programming and denial of humanitarian access. Engagement has at times yielded positive outcomes, such as reduced child recruitment, reopening of schools and the lifting of sieges. Yet political sensitivities, counterterrorism regulations and risk aversion limit humanitarian engagement.
The report concludes with a series of recommendations to humanitarian actors and donors for helping them navigate these challenges with the view of improving children’s access to essential services in conflict areas.