473 Million Children Trapped in War Zones as Violence Against the Young Surges Worldwide
Nearly one in five children worldwide is now living in or fleeing from conflict, a staggering humanitarian crisis that is exposing millions to violence, displacement, exploitation and lifelong trauma.
An estimated 473 million children are currently living in countries affected by war or violent conflict, placing them at extreme risk of abuse, exploitation and death.
Across conflict zones such as Gaza Strip, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen and Haiti, children are being forced from their homes, separated from families and exposed to grave violations. Verified attacks against children have tripled since 2010, while more than half of civilians killed by landmines and explosive remnants of war are children.
Recurring violence continues to threaten children in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, where armed groups and instability have created prolonged humanitarian emergencies.
From a safeguarding perspective, conflict strips children of protection systems that normally shield them from harm. Schools and hospitals are attacked, social services collapse and perpetrators of violence often go unpunished. Children face recruitment into armed groups, sexual violence, trafficking and psychological trauma.
The United Nations Children’s Fund is working with governments and partners to provide lifesaving aid, reunite separated families, create child-friendly safe spaces and support the reintegration of former child soldiers.
UNICEF is also calling on warring parties to uphold international law and protect civilian infrastructure. Child protection advocates warn that without urgent global action and accountability, millions more children risk growing up in the shadow of war, deprived of safety, stability and hope.
