The situation
More than 473 million children – around one in six – are currently living in conflict zones around the world. These children are constantly exposed to the threat of violence, bombs, mines, exploitation and human trafficking. They are growing up amid death and destruction, which has devastating effects on their mental – and often also on their physical – health. Whether in Iran, Lebanon, Ukraine or Gaza, war and armed conflict are robbing children of their right to a happy childhood.
Even in areas where ceasefires are in effect, the children there urgently need our help. Months – or sometimes years – of war have left deep scars. One of these traumatized children is Sila.
Sila's house was destroyed by a bomb in December 2023. She lost her parents and her three sisters. “My house was bombed while we were sleeping in the lounge. When I woke up, everything was covered in dust,” says Sila. “I noticed that I was injured. My leg was burnt and I was in severe pain. The doctor came and amputated my leg.” Since the attack Sila has been living with her grandmother, aunts and uncles in a school building.
UNICEF supports girls and boys disabled and traumatized by war such as Sila and gives them a chance of a better future by granting access to medical care and education, psychosocial support and protection against violence.
How your donation helps
Along with immediate humanitarian assistance like medical care, therapeutic food and safe drinking water, your support also helps UNICEF protect children in the long term by
- ensuring that children have access to education;
- establishing child-friendly spaces;
- providing psychosocial support and treatment for trauma;
- informing children of the dangers of mines and explosive weapons (mine risk education) and supporting mine clearance programs;
- providing individual care to victims of violence, human trafficking, sexual abuse and recruitment by armed groups;
- setting up safe and barrier-free shelters for disabled children and providing them with aids such as hearing devices, walkers and communication materials.
Children in conflict zones urgently need protection. Join us as we work to give these children protection. And hope.