World Day of War Orphans: Date, History and Key Facts Explained

World Day of War Orphans is observed every year on January 6 to draw attention to the suffering of children who lose one or both parents due to wars and armed conflicts. The day focuses on their emotional trauma, lack of care, and the urgent need for protection, rehabilitation, and social support.

Why in the News?

World Day of War Orphans 2026 is being observed on January 6. The day highlights the global crisis of children orphaned due to wars and reinforces the need for governments and societies to provide care, security, and rehabilitation.

What is World Day of War Orphans?

World Day of War Orphans is a global observance dedicated to children who have lost their parents due to war or armed conflicts. It aims to raise awareness about their physical, psychological, and social challenges and encourages collective responsibility to protect their rights and dignity.

Date of Observation

• World Day of War Orphans is observed annually on January 6.
• The fixed date helps international organizations, governments, and civil society groups plan awareness campaigns, discussions, and humanitarian initiatives focused on war-affected children.

History of World Day of War Orphans

The World Day of War Orphans was initiated by the French organization SOS Enfants en Détresses to draw attention to the suffering of children impacted by war. This day aims to provide these children with better living conditions and opportunities to secure a brighter future.

Historical Significance:

• 1945: Post-World War II efforts highlighted the plight of war-affected children globally.
• Founding Objective: SOS Enfants en Détresses emphasized the urgent need to protect and rehabilitate children orphaned by conflict.

Global Scale of the Crisis

According to UNICEF, around 140 million children worldwide are orphans. Nearly 61 million live in Asia, 52 million in Africa, 10 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, and over 7 million in Central Asia, highlighting the vast global impact of conflict.

Significance of World Day of War Orphans

This day holds immense importance in raising awareness about the challenges faced by war orphans and the need to protect their rights.

1. Highlighting the Impact of War on Children

War orphans endure significant hardships, including:

• Physical dangers such as violence and exploitation.
• Emotional trauma from losing their families and homes.
• Chronic malnutrition and lack of access to healthcare.

2. Advocacy for Global Action

The day calls for coordinated efforts to:

• Provide humanitarian aid and safe spaces for war orphans.
• Invest in education and rehabilitation programs for affected children.
• Formulate policies to protect orphans from exploitation and trafficking.

3. Addressing Climate Change’s Impact

Many conflict zones are also severely affected by climate change. War orphans in these regions face compounded challenges, including resource scarcity and increased displacement.

Key Summary at a Glance

Question

Q. Which organization initiated World Day of War Orphans?

A. UNICEF
B. WHO
C. SOS Enfants en Détresse
D. Red Cross