Wounded, brutalized, jailed, abducted, raped or killed, recruited to fight, deprived of food, water and shelter, orphaned or separated from their families – in wartime children have always been among the most vulnerable victims, despite their strength and their astonishing ability to adapt. Protecting children in wartime, giving them relief and caring for them has always been a priority for the ICRC. Children benefit from most of our programmes, some of which, such as psychological care and restoring family links, are largely designed to meet their needs.