Mother, smiling at her two children (girl and boy) playing together

This Mother's day we honour mothers protecting childhoods in conflict.

Across the Middle East, Africa and beyond, millions of mothers are protecting their children while navigating displacement, uncertainty and conflict. War Child's Be There Programme creates safe spaces where caregivers receive support to help their children heal and rebuild their lives.

This Mother’s Day, millions of mothers around the world are living through conflict, comforting their children through uncertainty, displacements and the constant threat of violence. From the Middle East to Africa and beyond, families are navigating war while trying to protect childhood.  

Today, more than 520 million children globally live within 50 kilometres of active conflict. That means one in five children are growing up surrounded by violence – one child too many. 

Motherhood in times of conflict is shaped by conditions few parents should ever have to face. It can mean waking up unsure how to find food, clean water or safety. It means holding families together when homes, schools and communities have been destroyed, while creating small moments of comfort and routine amid chaos.  

Mother helping her son and daughter with school work.

In the Middle East alone, War Child estimates that more than 102 million children could be at risk as violence escalates. Africa is also experiencing a sharp rise in the number of children living in conflict-affected areas, with levels not seen since 2007.  

In Sudan, the epicentre of the world’s largest child displacement crisis, 12 million people have been forced from their homes, half of them children. 

Many mothers fleeing war in Sudan seek safety in neighbouring countries, including Uganda but the journey south can take weeks and is often filled with danger. Families travel through multiple regions and across borders while navigating military checkpoints, armed groups and the constant threat of robbery or violence along the way. 

For those who make it to Uganda, the journey may be over, but the challenges are not. Many Sudanese mothers fled cities such as Khartoum and El Fasher as fighting spread, and families had little choice but to leave. In the refugee settlements, resources are limited and essential services are stretched. Sudanese mothers often rely on neighbours and other families to share information, essential resources and reassurance as they begin rebuilding their lives. 

In Kiryandongo, Sudanese mothers are finding spaces of support and connection through programmes designed to help them navigate parenting in conflict and displacement. 

Mother smiling with her son and daughter.
WCA

Fatima, a mother who participated in War Child’s Be There programme fled Sudan when the conflict came too close to home and the safety of her children could no longer be guaranteed. She did not have a specific destination in mind when she left. Instead, like many Sudanese families, she travelled without certainty, simply searching for safety.  

In uncertain environments, some parents can become overprotective or rely on harsher discipline as they try to keep their children safe. The Be There programme offers mothers and caregivers a space where they can share experiences, reflect and learn positive parenting approaches that help them better support their children. 

Fatima explains, “Before attending the sessions, I used to treat them differently. But after the sessions, I noticed changes in them and in the way I interact with them. Really obvious change.” 

“They taught us how to support children from birth up to 18 years. They gave us exercises on how to deal with children through different situations they may face at this stage of life.” 

Mother smiling, whilst her children beside her do their educational work.
WCA

After learning new approaches, Fatima changed how she communicates with and supports her children. She says the difference has been visible in their behaviour and wellbeing. 

“I benefited a lot, like how I can care for children at this age, how to guide them and how to absorb their negative energy. It made me feel relaxed, personally”.

By working with mothers and caregivers, Be There supports the wellbeing of the entire family. The programme strengthens caregivers’ confidence and builds on the parenting knowledge they already possess, recognising that helping a child heal from conflict often begins with supporting the person who cares for them every day. 

Mother laughing whilst her two children write in a notebook.
WCA

In times of war, caregiving becomes an act of courage as mothers do everything they can to protect childhoods. 

Much of this care happens quietly, through routines that bring stability and reassurance even as mothers carry their own fears.  

Supporting mothers’ mental health is therefore central to supporting children. When caregivers feel supported and able to cope with the challenges around them, they are better able to care for and protect their children. 

This Mother’s Day, we recognise mothers whose care takes place not in safe homes or familiar routines but in the midst of conflict. Mothers living through war are holding families together while navigating instability. Their caregiving is constant, complex and often invisible. Recognising these mothers also means recognising the support they need to keep children safe, supported and hopeful for the future.