UNICEF's Primero platform protects children across 60 countries

A decade after its launch, UNICEF's revolutionary Primero platform has transformed child protection work across 60 countries, supporting 10,000 frontline workers through 300+ organizations as they help the world's most vulnerable children.

From paper to digital transformation

Before Primero, child protection workers in crisis zones relied on paper files, making it nearly impossible to track children who moved between camps, crossed borders, or needed urgent intervention. Information was lost, duplicated, or delayed — sometimes with tragic consequences.

"We were losing children in the system," explains Sarah Chen, a protection officer in Jordan. "Paper files don't work when families flee bombing. Primero changed everything."

The platform that scales with crisis

Primero — which stands for "Protection-Related Information Management" — provides secure, real-time case management for:

- Unaccompanied minors

- Child soldiers requiring reintegration

- Survivors of gender-based violence

- Children separated during conflicts

- Trafficking victims

The platform achieved Digital Public Good certification in 2024, recognizing its open-source approach and global impact.

Real stories of impact

In South Sudan, Primero reunited 8-year-old Maria with her family after two years of separation. When conflict erupted in her village, Maria fled with neighbors while her parents escaped in another direction. Traditional paper systems failed to connect their searches.

"Primero's interagency features meant that when Maria's parents registered at a refugee camp in Uganda, the system immediately flagged the match with Maria's case in South Sudan," explained case worker James Okello. "Within 48 hours, we had arranged their reunion."

Technical innovation for field reality

Technical lead Robert MacTavish's team developed features specifically for challenging field conditions:

- Offline functionality for areas without internet

- Multi-language support (27 languages)

- Disability data modules

- Biometric integration for areas with low literacy

- Solar-powered tablet compatibility

"We design for the worst conditions," MacTavish notes. "If it works in a refugee camp during monsoon season with intermittent power, it works anywhere."

Sustainability through innovation

Uniquely, Primero is achieving financial sustainability. Through subscription models and implementation services, the platform is on track for 100% cost recovery by 2025 — rare for humanitarian technology.

"We proved that humanitarian tech doesn't need perpetual donor funding," says Director Sheema Sen. "Good technology pays for itself through efficiency gains."

Measurable outcomes

The numbers tell a powerful story:

- 750,000+ children's cases managed securely

- 45% reduction in case processing time

- 60% improvement in family reunification rates

- 80% decrease in data loss during emergencies

- $12 million saved annually through efficiency gains

Frontline perspectives

Maria Rodriguez, who uses Primero in Colombia for Venezuelan refugee children, describes its impact: "Before, I could manage maybe 20 cases properly. Now I handle 60, with better outcomes. The time saved on paperwork goes directly to helping children."

In Bangladesh, Rohingya case workers use Primero's photo features to help reunite families who fled Myanmar. "Many children don't know their parents' full names or villages," explains Fatima Ahmed. "But Primero's photo matching has reunited hundreds of families."

Global collaboration

Primero's success stems from unprecedented collaboration. UNICEF, UNHCR, International Rescue Committee, and Save the Children share the platform, breaking down traditional silos.

"When a Syrian child moves from a Save the Children program in Turkey to an IRC program in Greece, their protection history moves with them," notes interagency coordinator David Park. "That continuity saves lives."

Innovation continues

The team isn't resting on success. 2025 developments include:

- AI-powered risk assessment to identify children needing urgent intervention

- Blockchain integration for secure identity management

- Predictive analytics for resource allocation

- Virtual reality training modules for case workers

Expanding beyond emergencies

While designed for humanitarian crises, countries are adapting Primero for national child protection systems. Kenya integrated Primero into its national child protection framework, while Mexico uses it for unaccompanied minors at borders.

"The emergency version taught us to build robust, simple systems," explains implementation specialist Grace Kimani. "Those lessons apply everywhere children need protection."

The human impact

Behind every data point is a child's story. Ahmed, 12, separated from family during Syrian conflict, was tracked through three countries via Primero before reuniting with his uncle in Germany. Fatou, 9, escaped child labor in West Africa with help from case workers using Primero to coordinate her care across agencies.

"Technology is just the tool," emphasizes Sen. "The real heroes are frontline workers. We just gave them something better than paper and pencils."

A model for humanitarian innovation

Primero demonstrates how thoughtful technology can transform humanitarian work. By focusing on user needs, ensuring sustainability, and maintaining open-source principles, it created a template for effective humanitarian innovation.

As climate change and conflict displace more children, Primero stands ready to scale. Every new crisis proves its worth — measured not in technical specifications but in children protected, families reunited, and futures restored.

"Ten years ago, we asked how technology could better protect children," reflects Sen. "Today, we can't imagine child protection without it. That's the transformation we hoped for."