Some 357 million children live in war zones

Periskopi

15 February 2018, 20:58(8 years ago)

At least 357 million children live in war zones, according to a report by the NGO “Save the Children” published today. A record of violence, of which young people are victims. One in six children in the world lives in a conflict zone. Total figure amounts to 357 million, an increase [...]

At least 357 million children live in war zones, according to a report by the NGO “Save the Children” published today.

A record of violence, of which young people are victims.

One in six children in the world lives in a conflict zone. The total figure is 357 million, an increase of 75 percent since the early 1990s.

“There have never been so many children exposed to this situation and faced with the risk of killing or other forms of violence”, the NGO “Save the Children” noted in a report published today.

“Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia are among the most dangerous countries for minors”, the NGO stressed.

In Syria, the prolonged struggle is marked by a cruel lack of respect for international humanitarian law (DIH).

The situation in this country is the biggest factor that has contributed to the worsening world trends in terms of children and armed conflicts.

In view of the conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and Burma, the figures of 2017 should not be revised.

In 1995, 66 countries have faced conflicts. In 2016 that figure was reduced to 52.

However, wars today focus more on high - density areas, the number of affected children has increased significantly.

Over the past 20 years, tens of thousands of boys and girls have been recruited into armed groups to fulfill various roles, such as warriors, couriers, servants.

The UN provides a figure of 49640 verified cases of children recruited or used by forces and armed groups between 2005 and 2016.

Sexual violence against teenagers and children has also been used as a war tactic on all continents, from Afghanistan to Syria, passing through Colombia, Myanmar, or Central African Republic.

At least 17515 cases of sexual violence against girls and boys have been signaled and confirmed in 2005-2016 in countries affected by a” conflict, according to the report.

According to United Nations figures, more than 73,000 children have been killed under 25 conflicts since 2005, the year the data collection began”, the NGO's report “Save the Children” highlights.