Children are the most numerous and severely affected victims of modern armed conflict. During the 1990s, it is estimated that wars have killed 2 million children, left 6 million maimed, created 1 million orphans, and caused 12 million child refugees. This heavy toll is primarily the result of ethnic or religious conflicts in places such as Rwanda, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Kosovo, East Timor, and Colombia.

World Vision's Children of War program began in 1994 to aid children who have suffered losses due to war, wherever the conflict may be. This program gives special attention to lost, abandoned, or orphaned children. The children's first need is survival, meaning shelter, food, medical care, and protection, which World Vision projects help provide.

Through this program World Vision also assists the children in returning home, hopefully to reunite with lost relatives. When that is not possible, it ensures that boys and girls are left in the caring hands of reliable adults or community groups. Another important component of this program acknowledges the severe emotional trauma these children have experienced and provides sensitive, trained adults who help them work toward psychological healing. Through this measure World Vision helps these most vulnerable survivors regain normalcy and begin living in the present with hope for the future.