The number of countries experiencing violent conflicts has reached an all-time high in the previous three decades (UNICEF, 2021). While all individuals are affected by armed conflict and crises, children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of war. At an age when they should be raised in a safe environment, going to school, and getting an education, children living in these conflict zones are witnessing horrifying brutality. Many of them count violence as one of their earliest memories. While some of these children have been victims of heinous crimes, others spend their days confined in their houses, listening to the sound of heavy bombardment outside, constantly living in fear. The brutality they have witnessed has left an enduring effect on both their physical and mental health.

What do the figures say about children living in conflict?

A report published by "Save the Children International" states that 426 million children live in conflict zones worldwide. It is estimated that 72 million of them, or one in every six, live within 50 km of the actual conflict (Sapiezynska, 2021). Another report published by the same organization states that 99 percent of Syrian children live in conflict-affected areas. Afghanistan has the highest number of children killed or maimed, Somalia has the highest number of children in conflict suffering sexual violence, and Nigeria has the highest number of child soldiers taking part in the conflict.

The six grave violations against children in times of war

Six egregious cases of abuse against children during the conflict have been documented and condemned by the United Nations Security Council. Murdering and maiming children, their recruitment into armed forces or groups, ambushing schools or hospitals, grave sexual abuses, abducting children, and denying humanitarian access to children are all breaches that need to be monitored and prevented. Between 2005 and 2020, warring parties perpetrated 266,000 severe crimes against children in more than 30 conflict zones. The accurate figure is undoubtedly much higher (UNICEF, 2021).

What are the consequences that children in conflict zones face?

Armed conflicts violate a child's every right to life, the right to be protected and nurtured, their well-being, and the right to stay with their families or communities. One of the most severe problems children living in conflict zones face is the increased risk of sexual violence. Children are also placed in precarious situations as they live in areas where heavy weaponry, bombardment, landmines, and unexploded ordinances are all present. Thousands of children die in each war due to armed violence. Still, the indirect effects of conflict cost millions more young lives because of food shortages and the loss of health services, water systems, and sanitation. Almost all children living in such zones have emotional disorders that affect the rest of their lives. These children are deprived of a healthy environment for personal development and growth. For years to come, the effects of conflict can significantly influence children's health (Prasad & Prasad, 2009).

We can see that in one of the most recent cases, the Taliban took over Afghanistan, and soon after, chaos broke out throughout the country. Thousands of Afghans tried to escape the Taliban's rule, flee their country, and migrate legally or illegally to other countries. Many children were left behind, lost, and split from their families amid the chaos. Due to the continuous conflict, millions of children in Afghanistan are at risk of malnutrition. According to a recent BBC news report, an Afghan baby girl was sold for $500 by her starving family.

The world has a part to play in improving the lives of children.

The ongoing crimes and violations against children are only mentioned in the media when there is nothing more important to discuss. Nevertheless, even when we do not hear about children being injured or dying from these conflicts on the news, the destruction happening in these places does not halt. Millions of childhoods are ending, and millions of children deprived of a safe environment are just a reality that the rest of the world has chosen to ignore. World leaders must come together and act efficiently to prevent conflicts, ensure populations' safety, and hold perpetrators of violations accountable. We can also help by donating to trustworthy organizations trying to save and improve the lives of these children around the globe.

These children do not have a voice on a global scale, cannot assert their rights, and are likely unaware of a world beyond the destruction they have been living in. We need to be their voice and work towards creating a better future for them. Practical work must be done for them to have access to basic human necessities. However, all acts of violence directed toward them should be ended first. They have the most fundamental human right: the right to life.

The final thought on children living in conflict

It is challenging for us to fathom what life is like for those who live in these conflict zones, whereas this is the reality that these children were born into and have lived through their entire lives. Bringing children from conflict zones or providing them with a haven should be the utmost priority in the upcoming years. To conclude, I would like to quote the lines of the founder of the "Save the Children" organization, Eglantyne Jebb: "Humanity owes the child the best it has to give."

References

Sapiezynska, E. (2021). Weapon of War: Sexual violence against children in conflict. Save the Children International. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/weapon-of-war-report_final.pdf/

Prasad, P. L., & Prasad, A. N. (2009). Children in Conflict Zones. Medical Journal Armed Forces India, 65(2), 166–169. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0377123709801342

Children Under Attack. (2021). UNICEF. Retrieved December 7, 2021, from https://www.unicef.org/children-under-attack