Symbolic illustration of adolescent resilience in a refugee camp.

Navigating Adolescence in Crisis: Prioritizing Needs and Reducing Risks

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into the challenges faced by young people in humanitarian settings and how targeted programs can make a life-changing difference."

Adolescence is a period of immense change and vulnerability, especially when it unfolds amidst conflict and displacement. In humanitarian settings, very young adolescents (VYAs), aged 10-14, often face unique risks and challenges that are frequently overlooked. Understanding their experiences is crucial for designing effective interventions and ensuring their well-being.

Between 2013 and 2014, a series of research efforts were undertaken in three conflict-affected communities: Syrian refugees in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, Somali refugees in Kobe Refugee Camp, Ethiopia, and migrant communities from Myanmar settled in Tak Province, Thailand. These studies sought to understand the lived experiences of VYAs during emergencies, focusing on their needs, risks, and the impact of displacement on their development.

This article summarizes the key findings from these research initiatives, highlighting the crucial role of education, the pervasive sense of insecurity, existing knowledge (or lack thereof) about body changes and fertility, the importance of peer and family relationships, and specific concerns like child marriage, child labor, and evolving gender roles. By exploring these themes, we aim to provide actionable insights for humanitarian actors and policymakers working to support adolescents in crisis.

Key Challenges and Needs of Adolescents in Humanitarian Settings

Symbolic illustration of adolescent resilience in a refugee camp.

The research across these diverse settings revealed several common challenges and needs among VYAs. These can be broadly categorized as:

Access to Education:

Syrian Refugees (Lebanon): Limited access to education due to safety concerns, financial constraints, and integration challenges.
Somali Refugees (Ethiopia): High enrollment rates initially, but challenges persist regarding distance to school, household duties (especially for girls), and early marriage.
Myanmar Migrants (Thailand): Relatively high enrollment, but economic pressures and household responsibilities often lead to dropout, particularly for older daughters.

Safety and Security: Feelings of insecurity are pervasive across all sites, with girls often facing greater restrictions on their mobility due to safety concerns. Common fears include physical harm, sexual violence, trafficking, and arrest. Group activities and trusted locations like schools and religious institutions provide some sense of security.

Recommendations for Humanitarian Programs

The research findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive programs that address the unique needs of adolescents in humanitarian settings. These programs should:

<ul> <li>Promote health and well-being: Focus on physical and emotional safety, engagement in learning, positive self-image, and life skills development.</li> <li>Provide comprehensive SRH services: Include care for survivors of sexual violence, menstrual hygiene management, life skills training, and age-appropriate fertility education.</li> <li>Engage with families and communities: Collaborate with parents, teachers, and community leaders to create supportive environments for adolescents.</li> <li>Advocate for the right to education: Ensure safe and equitable access to education for all adolescents, regardless of gender or displacement status.</li> <li>Prioritize protection: Strengthen protection mechanisms to address the various forms of violence that adolescents face, including sexual violence, trafficking, and child marriage.</li> <li>Foster coordination: Improve communication and collaboration among health, education, and protection actors to create holistic and effective interventions.</li> </ul>

By prioritizing the needs and well-being of adolescents in crisis, humanitarian actors can help these vulnerable young people navigate the challenges of displacement and build a brighter future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s13031-017-0126-9, Alternate LINK

Title: Prioritizing Programming To Address The Needs And Risks Of Very Young Adolescents: A Summary Of Findings Across Three Humanitarian Settings

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Conflict and Health

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Jennifer Schlecht, Catherine Lee, Brad Kerner, Meghan Greeley, Courtland Robinson

Published: 2017-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are the most pressing vulnerabilities for very young adolescents in crisis zones?

Very young adolescents, particularly those aged 10-14, experience unique vulnerabilities during crises. Research indicates they face challenges such as limited access to education, pervasive feelings of insecurity, a lack of knowledge regarding body changes and fertility, and heightened risks related to child marriage and child labor. Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions that consider their specific developmental stage and circumstances.

What specific challenges do Syrian, Somali, and Myanmar young refugees encounter accessing education?

Education for adolescents in humanitarian settings faces significant obstacles. For Syrian refugees in Lebanon, it's safety concerns and financial constraints. Somali refugees in Ethiopia face challenges with distance and household duties impacting enrollment. Myanmar migrants in Thailand contend with economic pressures leading to dropouts. Overcoming these barriers requires addressing financial, safety, and cultural factors to ensure continuous educational access.

Why do young people in humanitarian settings experience such high levels of insecurity, and what steps can be taken to improve their safety?

The research highlights pervasive feelings of insecurity among very young adolescents, especially for girls. This insecurity stems from fears of physical harm, sexual violence, trafficking, and arrest. Programs can mitigate these fears by establishing safe spaces, like schools and religious institutions, and actively involving communities in protection efforts.

How do child marriage and child labor affect young people in crisis zones, and what interventions can help prevent these practices?

Child marriage and child labor are significant concerns for adolescents in crisis zones. Economic pressures, cultural norms, and lack of educational opportunities contribute to these harmful practices. Addressing these issues requires multi-faceted approaches, including promoting access to education, providing economic support to families, and engaging community leaders to change harmful social norms and providing legal protection.

How important are peer and family relationships for adolescents in humanitarian settings, and how can support programs strengthen these networks?

The research underscores the importance of peer and family relationships for adolescents in humanitarian settings. Strong social networks provide emotional support, a sense of belonging, and protection against risks. Humanitarian programs should foster these relationships through activities that promote social cohesion, family strengthening initiatives, and mentorship programs that connect adolescents with positive role models to improve their wellbeing.