This manual is intended to serve as a working document and provide, in a concise manner and in accordance with the relevant legal framework in force, the procedures that must be followed by the Child Protection Officer (CPO) also as part of the Cross-sectoral Technical Group (GTN) for the management of cases of Unaccompanied and Separated Foreign Children (FHPN) in order to protect them from violence and sexual abuse.

This manual is primarily intended to help frontline workers operating in Lezha and Durrës where, since August 2021, around 4,000 Afghan citizens have been temporarily settled, among whom a considerable number of children. The target group of this manual is Afghan children, but it is valid for all PMFs managing cases of children separated from their parents and families because of situations of conflict and population displacement.

This document considers, as far as possible, the specific circumstances and difficulties of FHPN which are related mainly to the limitations they have due to their personal situation, age, and ability to understand and be aware of their right to request the implementation of their rights recognized by law. An added difficulty to be considered in these cases is the restriction such children have for not understanding the language of the country they are settled.