Children Born in Refugee Camps: A Global Perspective

The birth of a child often brings joy. But for thousands born in refugee camps each year, life begins in a place marked by hardship. These newborns take their first breaths in overcrowded tents or bare shelters, often far from clean water, medical care, and nutrition. Their journey starts with obstacles many never imagine. This article shares why it’s necessary to understand their situation, how global displacement affects their development, and what people can do to make a difference.

Birth in Difficult Circumstances

Across countries like Sudan, Bangladesh, Jordan, and parts of Europe, thousands of women give birth each year in temporary shelters. These structures often lack the most basic essentials. Medical tools are limited. Skilled help is not always available. In one camp in East Africa, only one ambulance serves more than 10,000 pregnant women.

When labor begins, families often walk for miles or rely on dangerous transportation to reach clinics. These clinics may not have electricity, running water, or proper tools. When complications occur, the lives of both mother and baby are in serious danger.

In many camps, families know the risks but have no other option. Inadequate health systems are the norm. Even basic medicine is not always available. Deliveries sometimes happen on the floor, with minimal sanitation and no trained help. The chance of infection rises sharply. So does the risk of losing a life in the process.

Shelter Conditions That Affect Infants

Crowding and Exposure

Children growing up in crowded, poorly ventilated tents often suffer from breathing problems. During rainy seasons, floodwaters bring mud and waste into the shelters. This leads to skin infections and fevers. Illnesses spread easily in these conditions.

In some places, whole families live inside a space smaller than a single room. In colder regions, the lack of insulation makes newborns vulnerable to pneumonia and other serious infections.

Limited Privacy for Mothers

New mothers need time and space to recover. In camp settings, privacy is a luxury. Without access to clean water and hygiene products, postpartum care becomes a challenge. Mothers are forced to care for newborns under conditions that increase the risk of illness—for both themselves and their babies.

Healthcare Access Is Often Out of Reach

Some camps operate mobile clinics that rotate weekly. These services often fall short when outbreaks occur. If diarrhea spreads, basic supplies like rehydration salts may take days to arrive. During measles or polio outbreaks, infants become high-risk. When vaccine supplies run out or distribution slows down, preventable diseases spread rapidly.

There are also camps without permanent health workers. When they depend on outside visits, emergencies can’t be managed in time. This results in avoidable suffering.

Mental Health Care Is Rare

Beyond physical care, mental health support for mothers is almost nonexistent. Pregnancy and birth are stressful even in stable environments. In displacement, anxiety, trauma, and isolation make the experience harder. Counseling or group therapy sessions are rare. This affects bonding between parent and child, which is crucial in the early months.

Food and Nutritional Shortfalls

In many camps, staple food items include rice, lentils, and oil. Fresh produce and protein sources are often missing. This leads to gaps in nutrition. For breastfeeding mothers, the lack of nutrients can reduce milk production. Babies, in turn, fail to gain weight.

Reports from UNICEF confirm that stunting remains a major problem. A stunted child grows slower, both physically and mentally. The effects last a lifetime.

Community Gardening as a Solution

Some camps introduced small-scale gardening programs. In places like Cox’s Bazar, families received seeds and soil bags for spinach, okra, and tomatoes. These fast-growing vegetables become part of community meals, adding vital nutrients to the diet. The gardens are simple, but their impact is meaningful.

In several camps, humanitarian workers train families to prepare nutrient-dense meals using local ingredients. This includes porridge fortified with local greens or dried fish. These efforts help improve child survival rates.

Limited Learning Spaces and Play

For young children, play is a way to grow, learn, and connect. But in camps, space is limited. Makeshift schools often run inside tents or converted containers. Learning materials like books and pencils are shared among many.

In Jordan’s Za’atari Camp, some aid groups created “child-friendly spaces” filled with toys, drawing materials, and books. These spaces offer structure, helping children learn basic literacy and math. They also give children a chance to socialize—crucial for emotional well-being.

Education in these settings doesn’t follow standard systems. Yet even temporary classrooms bring comfort. They give displaced children routine, stability, and a sense of purpose.

What Children Should Never Be Denied

• Safe Birth Conditions: Clean tools and trained staff must be present during delivery.
• Proper Feeding: Support for breastfeeding and clean feeding practices helps prevent malnutrition.
• Complete Vaccination: Infants should receive all scheduled vaccines, without delay or cost.
• Early Education: Even simple setups can support literacy and social development.

Shielding Children from Harm

Camp environments are not always safe. Lack of lighting or security patrols creates risk. Children may face physical abuse or emotional harm. Groups now set up committees that include parents, teachers, and local leaders. These protect children from forced labor, trafficking, or early marriage.

Programs also train youth on safety awareness. Some offer self-protection workshops or creative outlets like drawing and storytelling, helping children express fears and heal.

International Programs Making a Difference

A recent program in Sahel distributed clean delivery kits to pregnant women. Each kit included a sterile blade, clean sheet, and soap. This simple intervention led to a 30% drop in birth-related infections over eight months.

In parts of Greece, telemedicine projects support newborn care. Health workers use basic mobile devices to monitor early signs of jaundice. With quick action, serious outcomes are avoided. These efforts show that even small steps matter.

Mobile midwife programs also run in Sudan and South Sudan. Trained women visit homes to provide care and advice. This personal connection builds trust and improves birth outcomes.

Ways People Can Make a Real Impact

Helping children born in refugee camps doesn’t require grand gestures. Here are realistic actions that support their survival and growth:

1. Raise Awareness: Sharing their stories broadens support and helps change public perception.
2. Donate Smartly: Contributions to verified groups fund maternal health, vaccinations, and safe learning spaces.
3. Join Advocacy Movements: Petitioning leaders to enforce child rights in refugee policies makes a difference.
4. Volunteer Skills: Teachers, nurses, translators, and even remote tech support play a role.

Making Sure No Child Is Left Behind

Children born under canvas roofs or tarpaulin walls didn’t choose this path. Still, their right to grow in health and dignity must never be questioned. While they may start life with fewer resources, the world can show them care, protection, and kindness. Each step we take to support them brings us closer to a world where even the most vulnerable are never forgotten.

With cooperation among aid agencies, governments, and communities, the first days of a refugee child can be filled with something more than just survival. They can be filled with care, respect, and real hope.