A staggering one in five children globally now resides in areas plagued by conflict, with over 473 million suffering severe violence—the highest levels since World War II—according to a report by UNICEF.
The United Nations children's agency revealed that the percentage of children living in conflict zones has nearly doubled from 10% in the 1990s to almost 19% today. UNICEF emphasized that this alarming trend must not become the “new normal.”
With more conflicts unfolding worldwide than at any time since 1945, children are disproportionately affected. UNICEF’s latest data from 2023 documented a record 32,990 grave violations against 22,557 children. Tragically, in Gaza alone, children made up 44% of the 45,000 verified fatalities during 15 months of conflict.
In Ukraine, the number of child casualties during the first nine months of 2024 surpassed those recorded in all of 2023. Officials fear this trend will worsen in 2025.
"By almost every measure, 2024 has been one of the worst years for children in conflict in UNICEF’s history," said Catherine Russell, the organization’s executive director. “Children in conflict zones face severe risks, from malnutrition and displacement to lack of education and healthcare.”
UNICEF highlighted the plight of women and girls in conflict areas, citing a 1,000% rise in reported sexual violence against children in Haiti during 2024. Additionally, malnutrition remains a significant threat, particularly in Sudan and Gaza, where over half a million people in conflict zones face famine.
Healthcare access has also been severely disrupted, leaving 40% of unvaccinated or undervaccinated children in conflict-affected regions at risk of preventable diseases like measles and polio. In July, Gaza reported its first polio case in 25 years.
More than 52 million children in conflict zones have been deprived of education, with many schools destroyed, damaged, or repurposed in countries such as Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Syria. In Gaza alone, nearly all children have missed over a year of schooling.
The psychological toll is equally devastating. A study supported by War Child found that 96% of children in Gaza feared their death was imminent, and almost half expressed a desire to die due to trauma.
“Children in war zones face unimaginable struggles. Their homes, schools, and families are torn apart, robbing them of safety and hope,” said Russell. “The world is failing these children. As we approach 2025, urgent action is needed to reverse this grim reality and safeguard the future of the next generation.”
UNICEF continues to urge international leaders and organizations to address the root causes of conflict and prioritize the protection and well-being of children in these regions.
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