Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the Middle East

Abstract

The state of orphans and vulnerable children in the Middle East has remained somewhat unknown or ambiguous, in recent years we are beginning to learn the dire state of children within the region. In this paper we will look at specific Middle Eastern countries, latest statistics and current humanitarian or child rights laws and whether or not they are being implemented in said country. Between the end of the twentieth century leading into the beginning of the twenty-first century, the Middle East made great progress in establishing and implementing child rights. The region began promoting health, rights and policy changes that would protect and be for the benefit of children. Though a special focus should be given to every country within the Middle East this paper focuses mainly on Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, with the inclusion of Afghanistan. Afghanistan's vulnerable children and orphans are typically left out of conversations surrounding both the Middle East and Southern Asia, this makes the state of their children vague.