The Global Protection Cluster (GPC) regularly monitors and tracks 15 protection risks across emergencies crisis.
During the second quarter of 2023
Gender-Based Violence
- Afghanistan
- Mali
- DR Congo
- Mozambique
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Venezuela
- South Sudan
- oPt
- Haiti
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Colombia
- El Salvador
- Ethiopia
- Honduras
- Myanmar
- Syria
- Nigeria
- Niger
- Guatemala
- Cameroon
- Ukraine
- N/A
In Colombia, gender-based violence (GBV) continues to rise amidst the armed conflict, and natural disasters. In 2024, over 103,000 GBV cases were reported, with 76% of survivors being women and 46% being children. Migrant women are particularly vulnerable during transit, facing exploitation and violence. A lack of safe reporting mechanisms and limited institutional capacity exacerbates the challenges survivors face in accessing justice and protection. In Guatemala, 49% of women are experiencing some form of violence in their lifetime. The most common type is sexual violence (34.48%), followed by psychological (31.67%) and physical violence (18.14%). Women and adolescent girls in transit face additional risks, with 43% of migrant women reporting incidents of violence during their journey. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), GBV remains pervasive, especially in the eastern provinces. From January to June 2024, over 61,346 survivors of GBV were recorded, with nearly 89% being women and girls and 40% being children. The provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri report the highest cases, driven by armed conflict and insufficient humanitarian assistance. Impunity for perpetrators exacerbates the risk, as victims fear stigma and retaliation, limiting access to support services. In Ethiopia, GBV is exacerbated by conflict, climate shocks, and displacement. Between 2021 and 2024, the population in need of GBV response surged from 3.5 million to 7.2 million, highlighting the severity of this risk. In regions like Oromia, Amhara, Somali, Afar, Gambella, and Benishangul-Gumuz, conflict and displacement increase exposure to sexual exploitation and abuse, child marriage, and intimate partner violence. For example, child marriage is often used as a coping mechanism in drought-affected areas like Somali and Tigray, with 4 in 10 girls married before 18. In Niger, GBV remains widespread, with 1,048 incidents reported from January to June 2024, a 11% decrease from 2023. Women and girls constitute 97% of victims, with most cases involving intimate partner violence. Displaced girls face heightened risks of sexual violence and early marriage, especially in insecure areas like Diffa and Maradi. Limited access to GBV response services compounds the challenges for survivors. In Mali, GBV remains a significant concern, with 7,641 incidents reported between January and June 2024—a 66% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Sexual violence, forced marriages, and intimate partner violence are prevalent, with 70% of cases involving women and girls. Conflict-affected areas like Mopti, Gao, and Tombouctou report the highest rates of GBV, compounded by limited access to support services. Survivors often face stigma and rejection, further exacerbating their vulnerabilities.
Unlawful Impediments or Restrictions to Freedom of Movement, Siege and Forced Displacement
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Somalia
- Sudan
- oPt
- Nigeria
- Syria
- Nigeria
- South Sudan
- Mozambique
- Mali
- DR Congo
- Colombia
- Honduras
- Cameroon
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- El Salvador
- Venezuela
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Ukraine
- Ethiopia
- N/A
In Colombia, forced displacement remains a pressing issue, with over 338,701 individuals displaced in 2024. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities face confinement due to armed group control in regions such as Nariño, Cauca, and Putumayo, undermining their autonomy and fundamental rights. The internal conflict continues to fragment communities, forcing families into precarious living conditions. In Guatemala, armed groups impose "invisible borders" in urban and rural areas, restricting residents' movement and access to basic services. Over 1.2 million people have been displaced due to violence, natural disasters, and climate change impacts. These displacements disrupt livelihoods and exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly for indigenous communities, women, and children. The escalation of conflict, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri, has displaced over 6.4 million individuals. The occupation by armed groups, such as M23, and clashes between the Lendu and Hema communities have severely limited civilian movement and access to basic services. Attacks on displacement sites, like the May 2024 bombing of Mugunga in Goma, have further endangered IDPs. Ethiopia hosts 4.5 million IDPs, largely displaced by conflict (73%) and climate disasters (12%). Regions like Somali, Oromia, and Tigray see recurring displacement due to violence. Restrictions on movement, such as curfews in Amhara, limit civilian access to resources and hinder humanitarian aid. Flooding in 2024 affected 1.6 million people, displacing 443,000 and compounding existing vulnerabilities. In Afghanistan, approximately 19% of returnees face rent disputes, with 16% threatened with eviction, often due to lack of proper documentation or conflicting land claims. Informal settlements and urban areas such as Kabul, Jalalabad, and Kandahar report frequent eviction threats, forcing families into precarious living conditions. Women, particularly female-headed households, are disproportionately affected as their names rarely appear on land documents. Additionally, explosive ordnance contamination in provinces like Kandahar and Helmand poses severe restrictions on safe mobility for returnees, with 34 provinces affected by unexploded remnants of war. In Mali, restrictions on movement and forced displacement are widespread due to ongoing violence and conflict. Over 913 movement restrictions and 3,515 forced displacements were reported in the first half of 2024. Armed groups use roadblocks and sieges to isolate communities, particularly in Kidal, Gao, and Tombouctou. These restrictions hinder humanitarian access and disrupt livelihoods, forcing families to adopt negative coping mechanisms such as early marriage and child labor.
Attacks on Civilians and other Unlawful Killings, and Attacks on Civilian Objects
- Myanmar
- DR Congo
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Haiti
- oPt
- Ukraine
- Nigeria
- Cameroon
- Mali
- Burkina Faso
- Mozambique
- Syria NW
- Syria Damas
- South Sudan
- Niger
- Afghanistan
- Chad
- Colombia
- Ethiopia
- Honduras
- Syria NE
- El Salvador
- Venezuela
- Guatemala
The conflict in the DRC has resulted in over 9,915 protection incidents from January to August 2024, with 14% involving killings and 6% involving torture. Civilian infrastructure, such as schools, health facilities, and markets, continues to be targeted, particularly in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, disrupting economic and social services. In Niger, non-state armed groups (NSAGs) continue to target civilians, particularly in Tillabéri, Tahoua, and Diffa. From January to June 2024, 1,339 incidents were documented, including killings, abductions, and property destruction. Children accounted for 12% of victims, with many abducted for ransom or forcibly married to combatants. The destruction of schools, health centers, and homes disrupts community stability and increases displacement. In Somalia, Jowhar faces threats from Al-Shabab, whose offensive strategies target civilian infrastructure and populations. This has resulted in collateral damage, extortion, and forced recruitment of children. Inter-clan conflicts, particularly between the Abgaal/Hawiye and Somali Bantu clans, remain a persistent risk, with historical grievances over land ownership sparking periodic violence. In Mali, armed conflicts have escalated significantly in 2024, with 2,009 people killed and 790 security incidents documented in the first half of the year. Regions such as Mopti, Gao, and Ségou have been heavily impacted. Indiscriminate attacks by non-state armed groups have targeted civilians, schools, and healthcare facilities, forcing closures and displacing over 330,713 people. Armed groups frequently employ sieges and roadblocks to control territories, leaving communities without access to essential services, including food and healthcare.
Psychological/Emotional Abuse or Inflicted Distress
- Afghanistan
- DR Congo
- Sudan
- Syria - Damas
- Syria - NW
- oPt
- Nigeria
- Burkina Faso
- Colombia
- El Salvador
- Mali
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Syria NE
- South Sudan
- Venezuela
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Haiti
- Niger
- Honduras
- Ukraine
- Guatemala
In Niger, the ongoing conflict has left 59% of IDPs as children, many experiencing psychological trauma from separation, violence, or abduction. Displacement sites in Maradi and Tahoua report significant needs for psychosocial assistance, particularly for children exposed to violence and abuse. In Afghanistan, a staggering 45% of returnees report experiencing stress that adversely affects daily life, with 28% of families observing behavioral changes in members, including sadness, withdrawal, and aggression. Returnees, particularly children and women, suffer from psychological trauma caused by forced displacement, harsh living conditions, and restricted freedoms. Access to mental health services remains limited due to high costs and a lack of qualified personnel. The protracted conflict in Somalia has resulted in widespread psychological distress among residents of Jowhar. Displacement, lack of access to basic services, and loss of livelihoods have contributed to heightened anxiety, depression, and social fragmentation. Vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and displaced minorities, face the most severe mental health challenges. Factors such as exclusion from humanitarian assistance and disruption of social structures further exacerbate emotional abuse and distress.
Theft, Extortion, Forced Eviction, or Destruction of Personal Property
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria - NE
- oPt
- Nigeria
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Honduras
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Syria - NW
- Syria - Damas
- South Sudan
- Niger
- Afghanistan
- Cameroon
- Colombia
- DR Congo
- El Salvador
- Mali
- Venezuela
- Guatemala
- Ethiopia
- Ukraine
- Haiti
Guatemala has one of the highest rates of extortion in the region, with a 22.9% increase in cases reported in 2023. Internal displacement due to extortion and violence is rising, particularly in urban and high-crime areas. Forced evictions disproportionately affect indigenous families, with 503 families displaced in 2023 alone, marking a 101% increase from the previous year. From January to August 2024, over 13,152 property-related incidents were reported. These include 6,754 cases of extortion, 3,591 incidents of looting, and 231 forced evictions. The South Kivu province, experiencing the withdrawal of MONUSCO, reports a rise in land confiscation and forced evictions, exacerbating vulnerabilities among IDPs and returnees. In Niger, ANSAs frequently extort livestock, crops, and valuables from communities, severely affecting livelihoods. Extortion through illegal taxation (zakat) in Tahoua and Tillabéri has escalated, leaving families destitute. Forced evictions due to land disputes or security operations further destabilize displaced populations, often without access to durable solutions. In Somalia, Jowhar, theft, extortion, and forced evictions are widespread, exacerbated by climate shocks such as flooding and socio-economic hardships. Rising land prices often lead to evictions, leaving residents, particularly minority and marginalized communities, vulnerable to displacement. Land disputes and inter-clan conflicts further escalate the destruction of personal property. The lack of enforcement of the 2019 Eviction Guidelines and secure land tenure contributes to recurrent evictions and insecurity. Flooding has destroyed crops and livestock, compounding the vulnerabilities of displaced populations in the region.
Discrimination and Stigmatisation, Denial of Resources, Opportunities, Services and/or Humanitarian Access
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Somalia
- Sudan
- oPt
- Nigeria
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Mali
- Mozambique
- Syria - NW
- South Sudan
- Niger
- Cameroon
- Colombia
- DR Congo
- El Salvador
- Ethiopia
- Honduras
- Syria - Damas
- Venezuela
- Guatemala
- Ukraine
- Syria-NE
- Haiti
- N/A
In Guatemala, indigenous populations and rural communities face heightened discrimination and restricted access to essential services, including education and healthcare. Over 2.7 million children were out of the education system in 2023 due to insufficient infrastructure and systemic inequalities. This lack of access is exacerbated by inadequate public spending, which represents only 2.48% of GDP, leading to severe disparities, particularly in rural and indigenous areas. Discrimination in Ethiopia disproportionately affects IDPs and marginalized groups such as ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. Nearly 50% of IDPs reported exclusion from decision-making processes regarding aid distribution. Lack of identification documents further hinders access to essential services. Despite the implementation of the national "Fayda" digital ID system, accessibility challenges remain for vulnerable populations. In Afghanistan, returning refugees face widespread discrimination and systemic barriers to accessing resources. Women-headed households (15% of returnees), persons with disabilities (15%), and elderly-headed households (12%) are disproportionately affected. Among these, women face compounded barriers due to restrictive societal norms and legal restrictions, such as bans on women accessing humanitarian services. Additionally, 47% of returnee families lack essential documentation, impeding access to education, healthcare, and other vital services. Returnees from rural and impoverished backgrounds are particularly vulnerable to stigmatization, limiting their ability to integrate into host communities.
Forced Recruitment and Association of Children in Armed Forces and Groups
- Colombia
- DRC
- Somaloa
- Sudan
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Honduras
- Syria - NE
- Burkina Faso
- South Sudan
- oPt
- Nigeria
- Haiti
- Afghanistan
- Chad
- Mali
- Syria - NW
- Syria - Damas
- Venezuela
- Niger
- Cameroon
- El Salvador
- Ethiopia
- Guatemala
- Ukraine
In Colombia, forced recruitment of children by armed groups remains a significant protection risk. The Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism verified 263 cases of recruitment and use of children during 2023, marking a 61% increase compared to the previous year. Ethnic groups, particularly Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, disproportionately experience these violations, representing 59% of cases. High-risk areas include Nariño, Cauca, Valle del Cauca, and Chocó, where armed groups utilize children in illicit economies, exposing them to further risks of sexual violence and exploitation. Children in the DRC are increasingly vulnerable to forced recruitment by armed groups. Territories in North Kivu (Masisi and Rutshuru) and South Kivu (Kalehe and Walungu) report significant recruitment activity. In 2024, 47% of recruitment cases were recorded in South Kivu, followed by 39% in Ituri and 14% in North Kivu. The lack of protection mechanisms in western provinces has made children, especially boys as fighters and girls as sexual slaves, targets of armed group exploitation. Although forced recruitment is less prominent in Ethiopia compared to other risks, it remains a concern in regions with heightened conflict, such as Amhara and Oromia. Unaccompanied children are often targeted during migrations, especially along the Eastern migration route. Child protection gaps in Tigray include lack of enforcement against recruitment and exploitation. Somalia remains one of the countries with the highest number of grave violations against children, including forced recruitment. In Jowhar, children are coerced into joining armed groups like Al-Shabab due to poverty, family separation, and lack of protective environments. Children not living with primary caregivers or in stable environments are particularly vulnerable. Children in Mali remain vulnerable to forced recruitment, with 763 cases reported in 2023. Armed groups exploit children as combatants and laborers, particularly in conflict zones like Mopti and Ségou. Boys constitute 74% of recruitment cases, while girls are often subjected to sexual violence. Weak enforcement of child protection policies exacerbates the situation, leaving many children without adequate safeguards. In Haiti child recruitment by armed groups surged by 70% in 2024. Children now comprise up to half of all armed group members, with recruitment driven by widespread poverty, lack of education and collapse of essential services.
Impediments and/or Restrictions to Access to Legal Identity, Remedies and Justice
- Afghanistan
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- oPt
- Burkina Faso
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Syria - NE
- Syria - NW
- Syria - Damas
- Niger
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Colombia
- DR Congo
- Ethiopia
- Mali
- Somalia
- Venezuela
- Guatemala
- Nigeria
- Haiti
- Ukraine
In Afghanistan, over 50% of returnee households lack at least one critical document, such as birth certificates or Tazkiras, with children (47%) being the most affected. This documentation gap prevents access to basic rights and services. Women face greater challenges due to restrictive norms requiring a male guardian (mahram) for administrative processes. Many families lack generational documentation, making it nearly impossible to secure legal identity for future generations, particularly for women and children born outside Afghanistan.
