Conflicts worldwide have forced more children from their homes than ever before, according to a new report from UNICEF. The UN agency estimates that 473 million children—over one in six globally—now live in conflict zones.

“By almost every measure, 2024 has been one of the worst years on record for children in conflict,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The scale of suffering and disruption in their lives is unprecedented.”

Devastation in Gaza and Beyond

Among the most harrowing statistics, at least 17,492 children have been killed during nearly 15 months of conflict in Gaza, reducing much of the region to rubble. UNICEF describes the situation as part of a broader global crisis that includes intensifying conflicts in places like Haiti, Lebanon, Myanmar, the Palestinian territories, and Sudan.

In Gaza, children face extreme hardship. “Children here are cold, sick, and traumatized,” said UNICEF Communication Specialist Rosalia Bollen. She highlighted the dire lack of basic necessities, with 96% of women and children unable to meet their nutritional needs. Many children lack winter clothing, resort to scavenging for food, and are increasingly vulnerable to disease.

“This war should haunt every one of us,” Bollen urged, calling for immediate political and diplomatic action to evacuate injured children and their families to safety for medical care.

Rising Toll on Children

UNICEF reports that by the end of 2023, 47.2 million children had been displaced due to violence and conflict, with trends indicating further increases in 2024. A record 32,990 grave violations against 22,557 children were verified in 2023, the highest since monitoring began under UN Security Council mandates.

The violations include:

• Sexual violence: A growing and alarming trend.
• Education disruptions: Children in conflict zones are far less likely to attend school.
• Malnutrition: Rates are rising among displaced and affected children.
• Mental health crises: Armed conflicts leave deep psychological scars on children.

UNICEF’s data shows the proportion of children living in conflict areas has nearly doubled since the 1990s, from 10% to 19%.

A Call for Global Action

Russell emphasized that the global community must not accept this devastation as the “new normal.” She warned of a lost generation of children becoming “collateral damage” in unchecked wars.

“We are failing these children,” she said. “As we approach 2025, we must act decisively to turn the tide and save their lives.”

In Gaza, the ongoing conflict represents one of the starkest examples of the crisis. Despite humanitarian efforts, the relentless devastation undoes any progress. “Every small effort to save a child’s life is undone by fierce devastation,” said Bollen.

UNICEF continues to urge governments and international organizations to prioritize children’s safety, nutrition, education, and mental health while advocating for conflict resolution and humanitarian aid.

Conclusion

As the world reflects on 2024, UNICEF’s report underscores a somber reality: children bear the brunt of the world’s conflicts. The agency calls for urgent global action to address this crisis, warning that without intervention, countless lives will continue to be lost and futures destroyed.

Source: News agencies