The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday that since 2005, at least 120,000 children worldwide have been killed or maimed due to conflict, an average of nearly 20 children per day.
In terms of serious violations, 315,000 cases have been committed against children living in conflict zones since 2005.
« Between 2005 and 2022, the United Nations verified 315,000 grave violations committed against children in conflict zones, which vividly illustrates the devastating impact of war and conflict on children », emphasizes the UN body.
These grave violations are said to be carried out by belligerents in more than 30 conflict situations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
“All war is, ultimately, a war on children,” laments Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, adding that “year after year the United Nations documents the brutal, tragic and all too predictable ways in which the lives of these children are torn apart”.
In detail, these data relate to cases of children « killed or mutilated », but also « 105,000 children recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups, more than 32,500 children abducted, more than 16,000 child victims of sexual violence ( …) more than 16,000 attacks against schools and hospitals, and more than 22,000 cases of denial of access to humanitarian aid for children”.
To bring these numbers down, UNICEF is calling for respect for international laws in place to protect children in times of war, to hold those responsible accountable and to increase funding for the protection of children affected by conflict. It is a question of asking the perpetrators of violations of the rights of the child to answer for their actions.
For the Head of UNICEF, « we must do everything in our power to come to the aid of all the children who need it, in particular the most vulnerable », knowing that « exposure to conflict has disasters that upset the lives of children.
« We know what to do to protect them from war, yet we are not doing enough, » she said.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1201 of 05/06/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
