UNICEF: 2024 marks one of the worst years for children affected by armed conflicts News
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UNICEF: 2024 marks one of the worst years for children affected by armed conflicts

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Saturday released a review of the impact of armed conflicts on children around the world, holding 2024 to be one of the worst years on record for children in conflict.

According to UNICEF, over 473 million children are now living in conflict-affected areas, with the percentage of children in these zones doubling from around 10 percent in the 1990s to nearly 19 percent today. The review highlighted that 47.2 million children had been displaced due to violence and conflict by the end of 2023, and UNICEF projected further displacement due to escalating conflicts in regions like Haiti, Lebanon, Myanmar, Palestine and Sudan in 2024. UNICEF additionally noted that the UN recently verified a record 32,990 grave violations against children in 2023, the highest since monitoring began. The organization projected that 2024 is “likely to see another increase.”

UNICEF added that children exposed to violence face severe mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, stemming from trauma and loss. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the dire nature of the situation, stating that children in war-torn areas face significantly higher risks of being out of school, suffering from malnutrition, and experiencing displacement compared to their peers in peaceful environments. The organization urged all parties involved in conflicts to take decisive actions to protect children’s rights and adhere to international humanitarian laws. 

In previous reports, UNICEF documented a staggering scale of grave violations against children. For instance, an average of 71 verified grave violations against children occurred daily between 2016 and 2020. Furthermore, UN reports have consistently documented the rise in grave violations against children due to armed conflicts. In 2023 alone, there was a five-fold increase in reported violations in Sudan compared to previous years. This included recruitment and use of children as soldiers, killing and maiming, and sexual violence.

The alarming trend underlines the escalating violence and humanitarian crises in regions such as Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine. Several international organizations and children’s rights groups have highlighted the urgent need for global action to protect children’s rights and ensure their well-being amidst ongoing conflicts. 

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