The United Nations has issued a warning that nearly one in five children worldwide reside in regions impacted by war. UNICEF, the global body’s children’s agency, has reported that 473 million children are facing the most severe violence witnessed since World War II, a number that has nearly doubled since 1990.
The UN has documented a record 32,990 grave violations against 22,557 children, marking the highest number on record. Shockingly, approximately 44 percent of the nearly 45,000 victims of the conflict in Gaza were children. Furthermore, there have been more child casualties in the war in Ukraine in the first nine months of 2024 than in the entire previous year.
A Palestinian child on the rubble left by an Israeli strike on Nuseirat refugee camp, on December 13, 2024. Reuters
UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, expressed deep concern, stating, “By almost every measure, 2024 has been one of the most devastating years for children in conflict in UNICEF’s history. Children living in conflict zones are more likely to face challenges such as lack of education, malnutrition, and displacement compared to those in peaceful areas.”
UNICEF also highlighted a significant rise in violence against young women and girls, particularly in Haiti where cases of abuse and assault surged by 1,000 percent in 2024. Malnutrition is another major issue affecting children in conflict zones, with Sudan and Gaza being particularly affected. It was noted that half a million individuals in five conflict-affected countries are experiencing famine.
A Palestinian girl reacts in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 14. PHOTO: REUTERS
Gaza is facing a healthcare crisis, with a polio outbreak detected in July. The UN responded by launching a mass vaccination campaign, reaching 90 percent of children in the enclave despite challenging conditions. However, the UN emphasized that beyond Gaza, 40 percent of children in conflict zones globally are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Source link
