Protecting children’s rights, shaping the future
How UNHCR employee Leana Podeszfa gives refugee children opportunities in life.
Clara Krug ,
13.11.2024 
Leana Podeszfa works as a Protection Officer for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Lebanon. Together with her team, she looks after the rights and welfare of refugee children. She talked to us about what motivates her.
“For me, child protection not only means giving children a safe space but also involving them in decisions that affect their lives. This is the idea we try to put into practice through our work at UNHCR. We see an incredible amount of suffering every day, but we can actively help alleviate it – and that’s something I find highly motivating. I’ve been working for UNHCR in Lebanon for three years, and before that I worked in places like Ethiopia, Pakistan and Kenya. Each country has its own challenges, but there are countless touching moments, too.
The situation in Lebanon is very stressful for children and their families. We not only try to ensure that children’s basic needs are met such as shelter and food, we also promote psychological stability. Playing, doing handicrafts and learning together are also a really important part of children’s development in this kind of situation.
I had a key experience when I spoke to an Afghan family in Pakistan who had fled to Quetta. The daughter told me about her dream of studying the universe. Despite the precarious situation, she was remarkably motivated. Moments like these show me again and again how strong children can be and that we have a responsibility to offer them opportunities.
My work is a constant reminder that regardless of where they come from, children always want the same thing: a sound and secure future. Incidentally, this is exactly what parents themselves want most for their children, too. If I can help fulfil this wish through my work, that’s the greatest source of motivation for me.”
Almost half of all refugees worldwide are children. A growing number of them travel unaccompanied – which means they’re particularly at risk of becoming victims of exploitation, violence or abuse. UNHCR is committed to ensuring that all those fleeing violence, persecution or war have the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge. For more than half a century, UNHCR has helped millions of people to start a new life. In Germany, UNHCR and UN Refugee Aid work together as donation partners. Germany is one of UNHCR’s most important partners, supporting refugee children both as a major host country for refugees and as an important donor for global aid programmes.
