The special needs of children affected by war are the focus of dialogues taking place between the United Nations Security Council and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) which include the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

According to United Nations’ (UN) estimates, 300,000 children have been recruited to fight in wars-from the Balkans to Sierra Leone to Sri Lanka.  Between 1986 and 1996, an estimated two million children have been killed by war, six million have been injured and one million orphaned.

In 1999, a dialogue between the Security Council and participating NGOs, such as ADRA, resulted in a resolution that began addressing the needs of children ravaged by the effects of war. The resolution was initiated by Olara Otunu, the UN Ambassador for Children Affected by War, and identified problems such as a lack of nurture and the need for counseling to help child soldiers return to normal childhood activities.

While ADRA continues to participate in such discussions, it is also initiating its own response, working with the Social Work department of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, to develop programs that will train local social work professionals to help the war-torn children within their own country.

“We plan to leave a legacy that will remain for a long time,” says Gaspar Colón from the ADRA Headquarters international relations department. “We hope that through our relationship with the UN we will be able to form some sort of consortium of mental health professionals that will help us improve the methodology for assisting these children of war. ADRA is deeply committed to meeting the needs of these children and in helping with their rehabilitation.”

ADRA, formed in 1984, is an independent, humanitarian agency established with the specific purpose of individual and community development and disaster relief.