93,236 children killed, maimed in conflicts areas – Save the Children

Save the Children has estimated that 93,236 children have been killed or maimed in conflicts in the last 10 years.

The CEO of Save the Children, Inger Ashing in a press statement also revealed that in 2019 some 426 million children lived in a conflict-affected area – a slight increase on the year before.

Ashing said around 160 million children lived in a high-intensity conflict zone , also an increase compared to 2018.

Ashing further said the impact of explosive weapons on children is complex, robbing families of their hopes and their ability to access vital services, and often profoundly altering the direction of a child’s life.

Ashing explained that the report launched by Save the Children today, on World Children’s Day, is the fourth in a series entitled Stop the War on Children.

Ashing further said behind the stark numbers are countless stories of the child victims of war. Many are casualties of people blatantly disregarding international laws and standards, and governments turning a blind eye.

“Yet several countries have made a conscious decision to keep selling arms to warring parties even where it was clear they were being used against children. This cannot go on.

“To curb the disastrous impacts of explosive weapons on children, Save the Children called on states to curb the use of the weapons most harmful to children, limit the sale of such weapons if they might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international law, and hold those who disregard international laws and standards to account.

“Save the Children is also calling for states to support an Irish-led political declaration aimed at curbing the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

“In addition, the organisation is urging governments to ensure child protection is fully funded in humanitarian responses, including mental health support for children and their families. 

“In the week the report was launched, Save the Children has also released its centenary photographic book I Am Alive, with the gripping stories and photos of people who survived some of the most atrocious wars over the past 100 years – one person for every decade,”Ashing said.

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