The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has highlighted the severe impact of armed conflicts on children. It warns that 2024 may become one of the most difficult years for children in war-torn areas.
The growing crisis for children in conflict areas
UNICEF estimates that over 473 million children live in conflict zones today. This is a significant increase from the 1990s, when only 10 per cent of children lived in such regions. Today, nearly 19 per cent of children are affected by conflict. By the end of 2023, violence had displaced 47.2 million children. As a result, UNICEF expects further displacement in 2024, particularly in countries like Haiti, Lebanon, Myanmar, Palestine, and Sudan.
In 2023, the United Nations verified a record 32,990 serious violations against children. These violations included recruiting child soldiers, killings, mutilations, and sexual violence. UNICEF believes that the number of violations will rise again in 2024.
Violence often leads children to suffer from mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, which stem from trauma and loss. Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, pointed out that children in conflict zones face greater risks than their peers in peaceful areas. These children are more likely to miss education, suffer malnutrition, and face displacement.
UNICEF has urged all parties involved in conflicts to act immediately to protect children’s rights and follow international humanitarian laws. Past reports highlight an increasing number of violations, particularly in Sudan, where the violation rate surged in 2023.
The rising violence in places such as Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine has caused significant concern among international organisations. These groups are now calling for urgent global action to protect children’s rights and well-being in conflict zones.
