Dubai: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today highlighted the severe impact of ongoing conflicts on the lives of children in the Middle East, detailing death, displacement, and trauma among the young populations.
According to Emirates News Agency, Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, emphasized that conflicts are drastically altering the lives of children in the region. In a recent statement, she outlined the responsibilities of all involved parties to safeguard civilians, particularly children, humanitarian workers, and crucial civilian infrastructure such as schools and health facilities. Russell pointed out the profound and often irreversible effects of these conflicts on children, stating, ‘Children do not start wars, nor can they end them, but their lives are shattered by conflicts.’
The statement further revealed distressing statistics and conditions faced by children due to the ongoing hostilities. “Tens of thousands of children have died. Thousands more are in captivity, displace
d, orphaned, out of school, and suffer trauma from violence and war,’ Russell reported. She called for an immediate cessation of violence against children, urging all parties involved in conflicts to prioritize the protection and welfare of the youngest and most vulnerable.
The call to action by UNICEF seeks to draw international attention and aid to mitigate the suffering of children in these conflict zones.